The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Queensland's Origin team is too old? No, it's too good

24th May, 2016
Advertisement
Origin 1 wasn't much of a spectacle. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Expert
24th May, 2016
28
2102 Reads

NSW coach Laurie Daley’s input to the Origin opener at ANZ Stadium was to name a 19-man squad totalling 122 appearances in the Holy Grail of rugby league.

Opposition coach Kevin Walters has selected Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, and Nate Myles who between them have made 125 Origin appearances – with Smith, Thurston, and Inglis three of the very best rugby league footballers on the planet.

NSW would “kill” to have such talent.

» State of Origin teams
» Queensland Maroons State of Origin team: Expert reaction
» NSW Blues team for State of Origin Game 1: Expert reaction

With all due respect to Walters, who thoroughly deserves to be Mal Meninga’s successor, Fred Flintstone could coach Queensland and the Maroons would still win with 248 Origin appearances in their squad.

It’s the culture Meninga has refined over a decade of dominance. But it wasn’t Meninga who kick-started the culture, it was Billy Moore.

The Maroon lock was in the tunnel just prior to running onto the Sydney Football Stadium for Origin 1 of 1995 when he roared “Queenslander” which became cemented in Queensland Origin folklore.

The Moore roar has been handed down through the ages, with Queensland genuinely believing they are going to win every Origin game – NSW hope they will.

Advertisement

Big difference.

So Daley hasn’t that priceless culture commodity, nor the cattle.

And what cattle he does have has been weakened by not picking Beau Scott and Michael Ennis, two form footballers with vast experience who by their very nature would have been right in the Queenslanders’ faces.

The pair would have met fire with fire.

Now Daley knows who he’s up against, who will be the two he’ll drop from the 19?

A lot will depend on how Josh Dugan’s elbow injury passes a fitness test, with Josh Morris the obvious standby.

But the mail is if Dugan is passed to play, Morris will be released to turn out for the Bulldogs against the Raiders on Sunday which means Dylan Walker will be on the bench.

Advertisement

So a forward will be the other released, with Boyd Cordner, Josh Jackson, David Klemmer, and Tyson Frizell the leading contenders.

Daley would be brave to send Klemmer packing as he’s one who will definitely be in the Queenslanders’ faces.

The Queensland 17 with six Broncos and four Cowboys dominating:

1 – Darius Boyd (Broncos) – 16 Origins
2 – Corey Oates (Broncos) – debut.
3 – Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs) – 27.
4 – Justin O’Neill (Cowboys) – debut.
5 – Dane Gagai (Knights) – 1.
6 – Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys) – 33.
7 – Cooper Cronk (Storm) – 15
8 – Matt Scott (Cowboys) – 19
9 – Cameron Smith capt (Storm) – 36
10 – Nate Myles (Manly) – 29.
11 – Matt Gillett (Broncos) – 12
12 – Sam Thaiday (Broncos) – 25.
13 – Corey Parker (Broncos) – 14.
14 – Michael Morgan (Cowboys) – 3.
15 – Josh McGuire (Broncos) – 2.
16 – Aidan Guerra (Roosters) – 6.
17 – Josh Papalii (Raiders) – 4.

close