Maroons coach Mal Meninga said “sanity prevailed” after the Queensland Rugby League backflipped and opted to retain AFL convert Israel Folau for the second State of Origin match against NSW at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday.
Queensland made two changes from the side that won Origin I last month, with Bulldogs prop Ben Hannant coming in for the injured Petero Civoniceva and Cameron Smith reclaiming the No.9 jumper from Matt Ballin after missing the series opener with an elbow injury.
A plea from Folau’s senior teammates and Meninga swayed the QRL hierarchy into a change of heart.
The QRL had previously threatened to drop Folau after he announced his multi-million dollar deal to play for and promote the AFL’s Greater Western Sydney franchise from next year.
“I am thankful for the QRL and the board of directors that they allowed the selectors and myself to select the footy side – I am very thankful of the result,” Meninga said.
“There had been a lot of emotion surrounding the whole week leading up to selection and Israel’s decision to go elsewhere.
“In the end sanity prevailed. We are bigger than that to hold grudges against people.
“Izzy has been part of the team for the last three years and he played in game one, been in terrific form for his club and deserves his spot in the team.”
Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer and Petero Civoniceva changed their stance earlier this week after previously suggesting Folau should be on the outer because of his code switch.
“They (Maroons players) all indicated to me throughout the week that they were very happy to see Izzy selected in the football side – they want to see him go out on a successful note,” Meninga said.
“There was a discussion (with the QRL) about the pros and the cons of selecting Izzy.
“But in the end, like it has always been in the 30 years of Origin (with Queensland), the selectors picked their side and the QRL backed their judgment.”
Folau’s young Broncos teammate Jharal Yow Yeh will enter Queensland’s camp as 18th man.
Queensland State of Origin team: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Willie Tonga, Israel Folau, Darren Lockyer (capt), Johnathan Thurston, Matthew Scott, Cameron Smith, Dave Shillington, Sam Thaiday, Nate Myles, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Cooper Cronk, Ben Hannant, Neville Costigan, Dave Taylor. 18th man: Jharal Yow Yeh.
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