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With Origin just around the corner I thought I would have a crack at picking a team of the century 2.0, noting that the last team was picked back in 2008 and an entire generation of players have missed out.
This is not a top ten list as a usually do but an lists of the best players for the positions so 1 to 17. With this list I will be naming an eighteen-man squad so an shadow reverse will also feature.
1. Fullback – Billy Slater
Billy ‘the kid’ Slater, no doubt the best fullback the game as ever seen, speed skill and focus is what Billy brings to the table. A try-scoring machine will great defence and one of the most exciting players ever a must have on my team.
2. Winger – Wendell Sailor
Sailor changed the face of wingers back in the 90s from skinny little speed man to huge power that could also be used as a back-up forward. Sailor was one of the best wingers of his time and was always well used by the Queenslanders to keep the forward motion going when the forwards got tired. A powerhouse player and a must have.
3. Centre – Mal Meninga
Big Mal, what more needs to be said? A centre built like a front rower with the speed of a winger and the goal kicking ability of an old-time five eighth.
Meninga is a perfect addition to this team.
4. Centre – Greg Inglis
Meninga 2.0. Fast, powerful and speedy (unfortunately not that great with his boot) Inglis is a 21st century version of Meninga. He would be the perfect addition to the backline.
5. Winger – Justin Hodges
A few names went threw my head for this position but Hodges got the nod. He would work well out Inglis and Sailor on his opposite and would that complete strength to the backline turning a defensive hull and a try scoring machine.
6. Five-eighth – Wally Lewis (c)
No surprises here, the best player ever deserves his spot in the number six and the honour of leading the team to victory. The man that would take charge of the team and carry it through the game.
7. Halfback – Allan Langer
Thurston and Cronk are a great halves team and have been for a decade but Lewis and Langer were better. The Prince deserves his place beside his king to have a halves combination that NSW and the rest of the world can only dream off.
8. Prop – Shane Webcke.
The hardest forward that I have ever seen needs to be upfront to lead the charge forward for the Queenslanders. A reliable player that is not afraid to hit hard and run harder. Pretty much the number one prop.
9. Hooker – Cameron Smith
So this one was not easy, but I have to give it to the best hooker ever. Smith is more than a dummy half, he takes control the game, leads the forwards a backline and get boot a goal if needed. A leader on and off the field Smith certainly deserves his place here.
10. Prop- Petero Civoniceva
Can’t have Webcke without Civoniceva, the most played prop in the game and the most reliable forward.
He is the perfect partner for Webcke. He has to be in the side and keep that go forward in the team with Smith in the middle pretty much an unstoppable forward line.
11. Second row – Arthur Beetson
Not having Beetson in the team is just plain blasphemy – and my mother raised a good Christian boy. The forward that played like a five eighth and is the original leader and King of Queensland rugby league.
He must take his place on the team, a hard player that would easy make things interesting.
12. Second Row – Gorden Tallis
The Raging Bull earnt his place on this side with his attack and more importantly his defence. Tallis is responsible for some of the biggest hits in the history of Origin and who could forget when he threw Brent Hodgson around like a rag doll.
It’s that kind of passion that gets you over the line.
13 Lock – Corey Parker
Parker is clearly the best lock forward that Queensland ever had, defensive attack his ability to slot in pretty much anywhere and his ability to kick a gaol also come into play, the perfect player to complete the forward pack.
14- Darren Lockyer
Lockyer can fit in pretty much anywhere on the side – 1, 6 and 7 – he can also kick and goal and lead the team if needed. Not only this he can play the indian role as well and not be just another chief.
15. Matt Scott
Scott could pretty much take the position of anybody in the front or second row, a Webcke 2.0 if you like. He would be the perfect replacement when the props need a rest.
16. Matt Sing
A perfect replacement for any of the backline. Speed, power and defence gets him into the team.
17. Matt Gilett
Gillett is the new Trevor Gillmeister. With his axe-like tackles would be able to fit anywhere in the second row and even go prop. An addition of power for the front line.
18. Cooper Cronk
Now a lot of people out there are going to say what about JT? Well I have always thought that Cronk was better than JT and I want to try to keep the Melbourne big three together.
Lockyer is a more of a utility player than Cronk and can fit in better. When you have eight of your top ten players all either playing five eighth, halfback or fullback someone has to miss out.
So just for the sake of it here is my top ten players from Queensland since 1980.
10. Petero Civoniceva
9 Johnathan Thurston
8 Cooper Cronk
7. Mal Meninga
6 Arthur Beetson
5. Billy Slater
4. Darren Lockyer
3. Allan Langer
2. Cameron Smith
1. Wally Lewis
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