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What are they thinking? The champion Queensland Maroons were outpointed in the forwards big time in State of Origin I and they have answered their critics by replacing one of their few big men with little halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.
I get it they they have dropped Harrison, as he should have gone two years ago, and big prop Shillington did very little in Game 1 and clearly has problems.
“Dopey Dora” could have made those changes and allowed Josh Papalii to come on to the bench and allow the Broncos outstanding worker and ball player Corey Parker start in his rightful lock position.
It was a travesty that he did not start there in Game 1 and only God knows why Papa had to watch from the stands.
The Maroons have chosen to go into this sudden death match with only one specialist prop forward, Matt Scott, who is also down on form.
Tough guy Nat Myles will partner Scott up front, and despite his work ethic, he is anything but an Origin class prop forward.
So, what happens after 20 minutes when Scott and Myles are putting in the short ones and cannot breathe? Sorry fellas but you have no other props. That’s right, none! Zero!
Scott will be replaced by Thaiday who has already put in 20 minutes in the back row and Myles will be replaced by whoever loses the coin toss between Papalii, Te’o, Gillett or maybe the other starting back-rower Chris McQueen.
All of these alternatives are second row forwards and are not comfortable playing up front, in the middle.
This is going to make it very difficult for the Maroons to get good field position and allow Cronk and Thurston to kick from the Blues half.
The selectors really needed some big men with punch to cause the Blues some problems and establish some half breaks for Greg Inglis and Slater.
They clearly have not watched the last two Titans games and noticed how big Dave Taylor has completely carved up anyone in his way. He would have been stunning charging down the left side with Inglis alongside him.
The reason the Bulldogs have strung together so many games recently is because of the sensational Ben Barba.
He could have done the same thing for the Maroons and would have been a handful off the bench. He is that good I would have started him at fullback and moved Billy Slater to the wing.
Could you imagine the Maroons left side if they had picked my team? It would have contained Slater on the wing, Inglis in the center, Thurston at pivot, Taylor playing back row and Barba punching through!
So the selectors have stupidly left our Taylor and Barba but included Cherry-Evans, a specialist halfback. Why?
I am a huge Cherry-Evans fan, and think that one day he may take over from Johnathan Thurston as the best player in the world, but he is not an impact player like Barba is. I am at a loss how he will be used.
If you had any doubts that the selectors have lost it you only need to look at who they have made 18th man.
Martin Kennedy is the new big man to be introduced into the Maroon fold. I am tipping that as soon as the Roosters get all of their forwards back, a fit Kennedy will struggle to gain a start in first grade and may well be looking for a new club next year.
He is a mistake freak and gives dumb penalties away at crucial times.
At least he is big, and size is something the Maroons certainly lack for for this crucial game that could hand the Origin trophy to NSW after eight years.
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