Queensland faces a selection headache ahead of the naming of their side on Tuesday with Billy Slater’s injury almost certain to rule him out of contention for Origin III.
If, as expected, Slater can’t train by this Friday and is forced to pull out then Greg Inglis, Darius Boyd and Ben Barba will all be considered for the Maroons. But the player they will have to pick is Matthew Bowen.
Bowen’s form this year has been nothing short of sensational and as a proven big game player he would offer the Queenslanders the spark that will be required to out score NSW in the biggest game of the season thus far. Coming back from two serious knee injuries, many league experts doubted that the likeable custodian could recapture the form that has seen him on many highlight reels throughout the years but Mango has proved the knockers wrong with a consistent 2012.
And if Bowen’s own form isn’t enough to persuade selectors, then the combination he has with Brent Tate, Matt Scott and especially Johnathan Thurston should be. NSW must be credited with shutting Thurston down in Origin II but if his old mate is there to assist with the attack in game III then that will make NSW’s job that much harder.
The combination between Thurston and Bowen offers so much as it keeps the opposition on high alert for the full 80 minutes. Thurston would be the first to admit that he was a little off in Origin II but if Queensland pick Bowen it may be the incentive he needs to find his form from game one and lead Queensland to a record seventh straight victory.
Moving Inglis to fullback must be tempting but Queensland would be reluctant to weaken their right side attack, especially considering NSW felt the need to drop Uate in favour of Morris. Inglis would be dangerous no matter where he is so Queensland must keep their right side as strong as possible.
Ben Barba is an undoubted talent who will get his opportunity in years to come, but a decider in front of what will be the biggest national audience in Origin’s history probably isn’t the place for his debut.
Queensland supporters will be praying that Billy Slater is available for the decider, but if he isn’t Matty Bowen won’t let anyone down.
jackyboy
Guest
i dont think let slater play cause he will play bad and get more hurt
diane murphy
Guest
BARBA for state of origin he is the greatest player of all time go benny you are the greatest x x x x
Rellum
Roar Guru
Bowen or Inglis for mine. Bowen is still lighting fast (check how quickly he runs down Slater in round 6 for one small example), magic off both feet and has a much better kicking and passing game than the other contenders. He has a great hit when he wants to put it on as well. What he lacks is confidence under the high ball and positioning under for kicks near the line which may hurt him at the selection table in the end. Ben Barba to me is a younger chunkier, slightly slower version of Matty Bowen, but one for the future in origin Knowing QLD selectors they my just go with Darius.
Bearfax
Guest
Bowen has the experience and is still explosive, and his combination with Thurston is a big plus. Barba is what Bowen once was, that explosive speedster who could destroy a defensive pattern, with a swerve, a jink and astonishing acceleration. Problem is that full back, probably more than any position other that half and five eighth, is a make or break role in the team. Fail at full back and your team are consistently on the back foot, and on the way to defeat. Barba is fast, deceptive, explosive but inexperienced and does tend to make a few mistakes at full back. Bowen is also fast, deceptive and explosive but not as much as he once was and not as much as Barba is today. But he is experienced and makes very few mistakes Therein lies the risk.
ben ellis
Guest
i think they should draw straws to see who plays no thats a bad idea
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I think I would go with Barba I know that Bowen is or has been a great player but I think he has reached his zenth and is over the top of the hill and creeping down the other side. Whereas Barba is on the rise and his defence is a tad better than Bowen's. I do not think they should put Inglis at FB, leave him where he is, that is his best position for the team. Myself I would replace Justin H, IMO he doesn't do that much in attack, he may defend, but he's just too old now.
Chuck
Guest
Bowen's 2 quality games in a row vs Barba's 14 in a row? the decision is a no-brainer.