Voss: Spencer Leniu cannot be picked for Origin 2026

By Charles Goodsir

Andrew Voss is not beating around the bush.

Spencer Leniu cannot be picked for the Blues and Cameron Munster should not be immune from being dropped for QLD.

That's just how it is in his opinion for State of Origin 2026.

"People tell me Queensland won't drop Munster," Voss said on SEN Breakfast. "Hang on a second, who was the Maroons captain in Game I last year? DCE...and they punted him, they dropped him after a loss. His form was not that great and they dropped him.

"What's to say they don't drop Munster after game 1? I'm just putting it out there."

When it comes to the Blues, he had a clear message for Laurie Daley as well: "If Laurie picks Spencer Leniu and basis it on the fact he has been there before; then based on the 14 minutes he played last weekend, Daley should just take his keys and let himself out someone else can have the job.

"Spencer Leniu cannot be picked."

So who is in the running for selection this year?

SEN’s Greg Alexander and Jimmy Smith discussed the vacant positions for both teams and which players deserve the call up to rugby league’s biggest stage.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Fullback

2025 selections: Dylan Edwards

Jimmy: “Dylan Edwards is playing superbly and James Tedesco is playing superbly.

“Personally, I’d have Dylan Edwards as the fullback.”

Brandy: “Tedesco is one of the all-time greats (but) Dylan Edwards is the incumbent.”

Wing

2025 selections: Brian To’o and Zac Lomax

Jimmy: “I think it leaves Campbell Graham who could be an option.

Brandy: “Mark Nawaqanitawase and Jacob Kiraz are both out with injury."

Centre

2025 selections: Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell

Brandy: “What about Kotoni Staggs? He was playing well at the start of the season when Brisbane weren’t.”

Prop

2025 selections: Mitch Barnett and Payne Haas

Jimmy: “I know one person who has done enough to be picked and that’s Jackson Ford.”

Brandy: “Can you pick Addin Fonua-Blake? Has he done enough?

“Spencer Leniu only had 14 minutes over the weekend.”

Hooker

2025 selections: Reece Robson

Jimmy: “Blayke Brailey will be on my bench. The suspension of Api Koroisau just paves the way for Brailey.”

Brandy: “Reece Robson has put his hand up in the last three weeks and said he deserves that starting spot at hooker.”

Second Row

2025 selections: Liam Martin and Angus Crichton

Jimmy: “Is Haumole Olakau’atu (a chance)? I think Hudson Young has got to be there.”

Brandy: “Liam Martin won’t be fit for the first game so I think Olakau’atu and Young will be picked.”

Lock

2025 selections: Isaah Yeo

Brandy: “With no Payne Haas, you need to have Cameron Murray and Isaah Yeo to play big minutes on the field.

“Cameron’s best position is around the ruck. There are enough in-form second rowers.”

QUEENSLAND

Fullback

2025 selections: Kalyn Ponga and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Jimmy: “In the last 20 minutes of the Roosters v Broncos game, Reece Walsh was a part of everything that the Broncos did right. It was then over to you Kalyn Ponga.

“Kalyn Ponga was superb on Sunday. You have to pick both Ponga and Walsh but then who starts? I’d start with Walsh.”

Brandy: “Neither were the starting fullback for Game III last year. I’d start with Kalyn Ponga and I’d say I’d be in the minority.”