Queensland begins its Life After Lockyer era tonight as Mal Meninga unveiled his side for the Origin series opener in Melbourne on Wednesday May 23. Join our selection chat on The Roar to dissect and discuss the Maroons team.
Mal Meninga has unveiled a largely predictable yet formidable Queensland squad that seeks an unprecedented seventh consecutive Origin triumph.
Cameron Smith will assume the captaincy as the Maroons begin life without Darren Lockyer at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium on Wednesday May 23.
The Melbourne skipper is no stranger to leadership at this level having filled in for he injured Lockyer in 2008, but this is a more permanent role for the 29-capped Kangaroo and 24-time Origin player.
“It’s a huge honour to be given the captaincy of this team and it’s something I always dreamt of doing as a young kid. I’m pretty excited to have that ‘C’ next to my name,” he said.
“He [Lockyer] just went out there and trained as hard as he could. As a leader that’s the best way to go about things.”
“The danger for us is being complacent and comfortable with what we’ve done over the past six years. The reason we’ve done so well is [because of] how hard we’ve trained and not getting carried away about what we’ve achieved.”
With the last six Origin titles hanging from their belt, Queensland has named a side that coach Mal Meninga feels quietly confident can repeat the dose on their southern foes.
“I think all of our players have stepped up over the last six years,” he said.
“Darren Lockyer has been a massive leader throughout that period and even before, although with Cam Smith now as captain and wealth of experience and leadership qualities in our side, we expect to play at our potential on Wednesday.
“Regardless of what team [NSW] pick, they’ll play well and be committed. Their four debutants will bring a lot of enthusiasm and they’ll be there to win. We just need to prepare well and play to our capabilities.”
The Maroons have opted for a more experienced and battle-hardened side, selecting only one debutant. Brisbane’s Matt Gillett becomes the 50th Bronco to earn a Queensland Origin jumper and was given the nod from selectors due to his versatility.
At the other end of the spectrum, Petero Civoniceva earns his 31st Origin cap in what will be his final season. The veteran Bronco was named at number 10 and leads a foreboding forward pack with the likes of Matt Scott (8), Smith (9), Nate Myles (11), Sam Thaiday (12) and Ash Harrison (13).
Billy Slater received the call for his 18th Origin selection and once again has the opportunity to impress in front of his Melbourne fans. Darius Boyd (2) and Brent Tate (5) were picked on the wings while former Melbourne fan-favourite Greg Inglis (3) takes his place in the centres alongside Justin Hodges (4).
Cooper Cronk (7) is promoted to fill the void at half-back while Jonathon Thurston (8) will start at five-eighth, where he will pull on the maroon guernsey for the first time since a sickening knee injury in last year’s Origin finale brought his season to a premature end.
“We know we’re playing against a very good New South Wales side and it won’t happen easily,” Smith said.
They’ve picked a side with a lot of points in them and with danger all over the park. Starting tomorrow, it’s all about the way we go about our training and making sure we enjoy each other’s company because that’s a big part about being on this State Of Origin side.”
Queensland’s Origin 1 Lineup
1 Billy Slater (Melbourne)
2 Darius Boyd (Newcastle)
3 Greg Inglis (South Sydney)
4 Justin Hodges (Brisbane)
5 Brent Tate (North Queensland)
6 Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland)
7 Cooper Cronk (Melbourne)
8 Matt Scott (North Queensland)
9 Cameron Smith – Captain (Melbourne)
10 Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane)
11 Nate Myles (Gold Coast)
12 Sam Thaiday (Brisbane)
13 Ash Harrison (Gold Coast)
14 Matt Gillett (Brisbane)
15 Dave Taylor (South Sydney)
16 Ben Hannant (Brisbane)
17 David Shillington (Canberra)
18 Dale Cherry Evans (Manly)
19 Dave Nielsen (Melbourne)
Mal Meninga – Coach
Check this evening’s live blog in the Comments section below, to share your thoughts on who has been picked, who’s been left out, and anything more.
PJay Taliko
Guest
Ben Te 'O is quite these days...I just hope he fires up these few games to prove he is ready for the big one. Maroons have so many talents and may not seem fair but that's the way things are. If Ben barber has constantly shone throughout the years, he deserves to be given an opportunity in the bench for the start. He can play utility five-eight and full back...so much in-depth skills, this guy! I'd really like to see another win with some damage to the blues again.
PJay Taliko
Guest
My Maroons team for Game 1 2013 in Sydney; 1. Billy Slater 2.Darius Boyd 3. Justin Hodges/Dave Nielson 4. Greg Inglis 5.Brent Tate 6.Jonathan Thurston (v/c) 7.Cooper Cronk 8.Matt Scott 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10.Ben Hannet 11.Nate Myles/Dave Shillington 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Ash Harrison 14.Matt Gillet 15.Ben Barbar 16.Dave Shillington/Nate Myles 17.Dave Nielson/Justin Hodges 18.Dale Cherry Ivans Coach: Meninga Trainer: Langer Assist: Lockyer & Walters
Vagi Gamoga
Guest
A great team with superb players.! GO THE MIGHTY MAROONS.!
Truth 88
Guest
My Queensland B team 1. Ben Barba 2. Daniel Vidot 3. Dane Nielsen 4. Will Chambers 5. Justin Oneill 6. Scott Prince 7. Daly Cherry Evans 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh McGuire 11. Ben Te’O 12. Neville Costigan 13. Corey Parker 14. Jayson Bukuya 15. Ben Ross 16. Chris McQueen 17. Dallas Johnson
Jonathan
Guest
I love queensland they are still the best."never say die"
Rellum
Roar Guru
Matty Bowen is stiff to miss out. I would have him on the bench personally.
Broncos
Guest
My Queensland B team 1. Ben Barba 2. Ash Graham 3. Willie Tonga 4. Dane Neilsen 5. Justin Oneill 6. Scott Prince 7. Daly Cherry Evans 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Matt Ballin 10. Josh McGuire 11. Ben Te'O 12. Neville Costigan 13. Corey Parker 14. Matt Bowen 15. Ben Ross 16. Chris McQueen 17. Dallas Johnson
Jeff McGinn
Guest
Some good combinations from three clubs. only two players from clubs outside the eight... Please note this Ricky, -- that's how you pick a winning TEAM..
Dan
Guest
God what a side!! I still have faith! Go the blues!! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Jeff McGinn
Guest
Is that Dane Nielson's little brother .... lol
oikee
Guest
Probably as strong as you could get, and we have some good backup for any injuries which may accure, touch wood. Pleased to see Tate making a come back. Gillet is a good pick as well. If anyone gets injured we have Ben Teo on stand-by, along with Parker. It looks good, but looking at NSW, i think we need to look good, it will be the toughest series in a long time. Wonder if we can claim underdog status.
sykes
Guest
I think the team looks pretty good.....They just need to do their job on the big day....
Farmerj
Guest
If the recepie aint broke, don't fix it. Lots of props to roll through the middle of the field and backrowers who will back up the props leaving the backs to play all the football. And Petero is origin, he might not play the minutes in game 1 that he used to but they will be quality minutes and will inspire his side.
KSI
Guest
I think you mean Corey Parker.
Alistair Hogg
Roar Pro
Well that wraps things up from the Queensland team announcement event in Brisbane. What do you think of the team? Is there anyone you think is stiff to miss out? Conversely, is there anyone in that team you think might be fortunate?
Alistair Hogg
Roar Pro
Mal was cagey when quizzed on the New South Wales side named on the weekend. "We'll have a look at New South Wales. Regardless of what team they pick, they'll play well and be committed. Their four debutants will bring a lot of enthusiasm and they'll be there to win. We just need to prepare well and play to to our capabilities."
Alistair Hogg
Roar Pro
On the difficult decision to omit Corey Parker*, Meninga said, "It was tough to leave Corey out. It's always tough to leave players out, but we feel this group will do us proud. They're all playing really well for their cubs and we've already had a chat that when we come through the door, we're ready to play Origin footy. It's a special time, an exciting time and we want the players to prepare really well for it." *amended
Alistair Hogg
Roar Pro
Smith also offered his thoughts on Matt Gillett who is the only debutant in this experienced Queensland outfit. "When I first started playing, Gordon Tallis reminded me that when you walk out of the, tunnel you have 55,000 people behind you. Just go out and do the job you do every week. It’s a nervous time, but at the same time it’s exciting. You don’t know how many opportunities you’ll get to wear this great jersey and play in the State Of Origin arena. Matty will be excited. We’ve not playing at Suncorp, but it will be a great atmosphere at Etihad."
Alistair Hogg
Roar Pro
On New South Wales, Smith said, "It won’t happen easily. We know we’re playing against a very good New South Wales side. They’ve picked a side with a lot of points in them and with danger all over the park. Starting tomorrow, it’s all about the way we go about our training and making sure we enjoy each others company because that's a big part about being on this State Of Origin side."
Alistair Hogg
Roar Pro
Smith also spoke of what his team needs to do to claim an unprecedented seventh consecutive Origin series win. "The danger is being complacent and comfortable with what we've done over the past six years. The reason we’ve done so well is [because of] how hard we’ve trained and not getting carried away about what we've achieved."