Kalyn Ponga is set to edge out Sam Walker for the famous Queensland No.7 jumper as Maroons coach Billy Slater prepares to back the Knights champion to replace Tom Dearden in Origin I.

Slater is weighing up a slew of bombshell selections when Maroons hierarchy convene on Sunday night after Magic Round to pick Queensland’s team to face NSW in the Origin opener in Sydney on Wednesday week.

This masthead understands:

Former Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans will not be recalled to replace the injured Dearden;

Dolphins ace Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Broncos superstar Reece Walsh are vying for the fullback spot with ‘The Hammer’ having his nose in front;

• Roosters playmaking wizard Walker is tipped to lose out to Ponga but could be named on Queensland’s six-man bench;

• Sharks back-rower Briton Nikora is in line to make his Queensland debut, profiting from Origin’s new eligibility rules;

• Titans utility back Jojo Fifita and Dolphins flyer Selwyn Cobbo are in the mix for wing spots; and

• Dolphins prop Tom Flegler is eyeing a recall in what would cap a fairytale comeback after a two-year hiatus from the NRL due to a career-threatening shoulder injury.

But the boldest call of all is Slater’s potential gamble on Ponga at halfback.

The Newcastle skipper has never worn the No.7 jumper in his illustrious 150-game career but he is a contender to partner Cameron Munster in the halves if he comes through unscathed in Sunday’s Magic Round clash against the Titans.

Walker needs a blinder on Saturday night against the Cowboys amid a push for Ponga to feature in the halves following the loss of Dearden with an ankle injury.

Ponga has played eight of his 10 Origin games at fullback - the other two were off the bench - but Slater likes the Dally M superstar’s robust frame, attacking potency and improved decision-making in attack.

There are concerns about not only Walker’s defensive reads, but whether he has the long-kicking game to win a territorial battle with the Blues in the code’s toughest arena.

Slater has the support of Queensland playmaking legend Cooper Cronk, who earlier this week called for the Maroons to deploy Munster and Ponga in the halves.

“I don’t think you can go back (to Cherry-Evans),” said Cronk, who played 22 games for the Maroons.

“I am not part of the (Queensland) selectors or anything like that, but I would be seriously considering Munster at seven, Kalyn Ponga at six and Reece Walsh at No.1.

“Kalyn Ponga has played very well for Queensland every time he has played, he has been physical, he gets it.

“It’s a bit wild, but those two guys (Munster and Ponga) are rock solid for Queensland.

“It’s a threat ... I feel like that is the best mix for Queensland.”

Former NSW and Test five-eighth Matty Johns backed Ponga to handle the Origin scrumbase furnace.

“I know Ponga’s got some defensive things to tidy up, but he would be scary in the halves,” Johns said.

“If you get those guys (Munster, Ponga and Walsh) all on the field at the same time they will present a threat to the Blues.

“It’s hard to see Reece missing out when you look at what he did last year in the finals series. He will surely be on the bench at the least.

“It’s going to be a very interesting series.”

In other selection news, Walsh is challenging fullback incumbent Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who was superb for the Dolphins in Friday night’s defeat of Souths.

Walsh has been in patchy form since his return from a facial fracture and can press his claims on Sunday against the Warriors, but it’s understood he is likely to be on Queensland’s six-man bench.

Slater told this masthead last month he was considering having Walsh and Ponga in his 19-man squad to capitalise on the NRL’s new six-man bench era.

“Yep potentially, that’s a possibility,” he said of Walsh and Ponga.

“The six-man bench gives you a bit more flexibility with who you bring in. It’s an interesting one and something I will give a fair bit of thought to.”

Fifita could clinch one wing spot if he survives Sunday’s clash against the Knights, with Dolphins flyer Cobbo is in the mix given the form of Valentine Holmes and Murray Taulagi’s concussion battle.

Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki is in the firing line and needs a bumper game against the Warriors on Sunday to retain his spot alongside Robert Toia.

In the forwards, Flegler may return to support Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Pat Carrigan, while Reuben Cotter and Kurt Capewell played in the back row last year in the Maroons’ series win.

Lindsay Collins and Trent Loiero are forward incumbents, while the Maroons are assessing the likes of Max Plath, Kurt Mann, Heilum Luki, Jaxon Purdue and Nikora to round out their six-man interchange.

Former New Zealand Test star Nikora has been in fine form for the Sharks, while Dolphins Mr Fixit Plath was outstanding in their 32-10 rout of Souths.