Wesser says Inglis could be best ever No.1
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Queensland don’t need to risk a seventh straight State of Origin series by playing superstar Billy Slater when they’ve got the best fullback in the world to replace him, according to former Maroons custodian Rhys Wesser.
There’s speculation Queensland selectors will take a huge punt on Slater in the hope his injured knee comes good in time for Wednesday week’s series decider.
But Wesser believes Greg Inglis should wear the No.1 jumper against the Blues if there’s any lingering doubt over the Storm star’s fitness.
Wesser, who played fullback in the third game of the 2006 series where Queensland started their streak of series wins, said Inglis would be a sensation playing behind such a champion team.
“Billy Slater is one of the greatest fullbacks ever to play that position but we’re not too sure if he is going to be back in time,” Wesser told AAP.
“I’ve seen Greg Inglis play fullback, the whole country has seen him play and he’s a tremendous athlete.
“He could play a number of positions and be the world’s best in each of them.
“I actually think his best position is fullback.
“If you put him at fullback, you don’t lose anything although it would be great if Billy (Slater) makes it back because every Queenslander wants to see him play the last game.”
Wesser was no slouch himself, scoring 129 tries in 218 senior games for Penrith and Souths and also playing in four Origins.
“Greg (Inglis) is one of those athletes that come along once in a blue moon,” he said.
“What I’ve seen him do at training is unbelievable.
“I believe he could be the best fullback ever, I truly do believe that.”
Wesser said Inglis could involve himself much more from fullback then from the centres where he often went long periods without touching the ball.
“At fullback he can pick his times to attack whereas he can often get stuck out in the centres where the ball has to find him,” he said.
© AAP 2013
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June 26th 2012 @ 2:45pm
spek said | June 26th 2012 @ 2:45pm | Report comment
could not agree more with this.
as many have said on this site: if Slater is out then slot GI to fullback. This makes the spine stronger IMHO than bowen at fullback and that is not to take away from matty bowen’s form this year which has obviously been sensational.
It just looks to me that Qld want to get the SOO leading try scorer involved as much as possible in the game – and it also give him the space he needs to build momentum going to the defensive line. GI at his best when retruning the ball from broken play.
he looks like a natural full back to me and already shown his full back skills this series with a number of great catches under pressure off his try line.
spek