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We are gathered here today to hear the case of Inglis v Slater, with the judgement to decide who will play fullback for Queensland in this year’s State of Origin series.
Grounds of Appeal
With the 32nd State of Origin series growing nearer, Maroons fans are experiencing a customary relaxed build-up to the series opener in Brisbane.
While New South Welshmen use this time of year to bash heads in a fruitless attempt to conjure up a team that they believe will give them the best chance of ending Queensland’s dominance, for the past several years the line-up of the Maroons has remained relatively intact.
Yet, one question has nagged away in the back of the minds of Queensland supporters for the past few years. That is, is Queensland’s best fullback currently playing in the wrong position?
When Michael Maguire decided to play Greg Inglis at fullback early in 2012, the NRL was set alight. Inglis’ barnstorming performances for the Rabbitohs saw him further enhance his reputation as the most destructive player in world rugby.
Since this time, debate has surrounded who should wear the coveted number one jersey for Queensland. Inglis’ foray at fullback for the Rabbitohs has been accredited as a major contributor to the team’s recent success.
Additionally, his positional swap has coincided with a somewhat quiet period for Slater. Although Slater is still considered by many to be the greatest fullback in world rugby league, it appears as though he no longer possesses the same levels of speed and attacking flair that he was renowned for during the earlier days of his illustrious career.
As such, based upon empirical evidence I will judge whether Billy Slater, the incumbent, should keep his position, or whether it is time for the mantle to be handed to Inglis.
Argument for the Appellant
While many Maroons players are experiencing a quiet start to the 2014 season, Inglis has picked up from where he left off last year. Despite the Rabbitohs mixed start to the season, Inglis has been in blistering form.
So far Inglis has made 87 runs for a total gain of 890 metres. That amounts to a whopping 10.23 metres gained per run. He is averaging 178 running metres per game. Bearing in mind that Inglis didn’t register any metres gained before he was taken from the playing field with concussion in the Rabbitohs Round 3 match, these figures are simply phenomenal.
Inglis’ running metres dwarf those made by Slater, who is averaging 122.33 metres per game. In addition to his barnstorming runs, Inglis has chalked up 36 tackles breaks (and average of six per game) seven line breaks as well as two try assists.
Additionally, the big man has crossed the white line four times in what has technically been five games.
Most of the criticism surrounding the possibility of Inglis playing fullback for Queensland stems from fans fearing that such a move would weaken the Maroons’ backline overall, simply for improving performance in one position.
Some also claim that this would leave Billy Slater without a specific role in the team structure. In response to such arguments, it can be noted that in the past two Origin series Inglis hasn’t made as noticeable an impact as in previous series, thanks predominantly to the improved defence of the New South Wales centres.
Josh Morris has marked up on Inglis admirably throughout the past few games and has prevented the star from creating too much havoc.
However, if Inglis played at fullback this would give him the opportunity to inject himself into the attack on either side of the field. It would keep the Blues defence guessing and would be harder for them to shut him down.
This was exemplified when Inglis deputised for the injured Slater during Game 3 of the 2012 series. Every time Inglis returned a Pearce punt on the fly he sent Blues defenders tumbling backwards and looked extremely dangerous with every touch of the football:
Such a move would allow Queensland to begin every set on the front foot with Inglis breaking tackles and playing the ball quickly to allow the next runner to charge into a retreating Blues defensive line.
Additionally, if Inglis moved to fullback Slater could be moved back to the left wing in place of the out of form Brent Tate. This would allow Mal Meninga to select a new centre to partner Justin Hodges.
Will Chambers would be my pick based on form at the moment. His combination with Cooper Cronk is another factor that can’t be overlooked. If Mal decided to take a more reserved approach, then Willie Tonga could be recalled for the Maroons.
While Tonga hasn’t been in blinding form, he has performed strongly for the Eels thus far and Queensland could do worse than giving the veteran a recall. If Inglis were selected to play fullback, my back five for Queensland would look like this:
1. Greg Inglis
2. Darius Boyd
3. Will Chambers/Willie Tonga
4. Justin Hodges
5. Billy Slater
Argument for the Respondent
While Slater hasn’t enjoyed a phenomenal opening to season 2014, he has made solid contributions to his club side and continues to impress on a weekly basis.
Overall Slater’s running metres are down compared to Inglis’. While he has also only broken 15 tackles in comparison to Inglis’ whopping 36, no other fullbacks in the game can compare to Inglis in this department.
He has also had problems finding space this season, only breaking the line once. He has also only scored a solitary try. Slater has however made two more try assists than Inglis, and has five line break assists to his name, whereas Inglis is yet to set up one of his teammates for a big run.
This suggests to me what while Slater does not possess the sheer brute force of Inglis, he contributes a greater playmaking role to his team. Additionally, despite Slater’s poor game against the Dragons wherein he made several errors, he has only made a total of five this season.
Inglis, on the other hand, has made seven errors while really only playing five games.
Weather could be factored in a contributor to this statistic, but both men have experienced playing in wet conditions over the past six weeks of the competition.
Slater is accredited with being the best positional fullback in world rugby league, and while he can’t break tackles like Inglis, his directional play is second to none. Slater always seems to pop up at the appropriate time for Queensland, whether it is to capitalise on a Cronk inside pass to support a runaway Johnathan Thurston.
Furthermore, the argument of “if it isn’t broken, why fix it” can be raised given the circumstances. Queensland have continued winning despite Slater’s supposed downturn in form over the last two series.
Why would Mal Meninga decide to shake up a winning team structure and risk disjointing the Maroons attack just for the sake of it? The skill set that Slater brings to the table would be wasted with him playing out on the wing.
While Inglis is equally adept at playing two positions in the backline, Slater’s home is at fullback. It can be said that Slater should be allowed to continue playing in his strongest position, as Inglis is still a formidable prospect at centre.
Decision
Upon review of the evidence collected and analysing the arguments for both sides, it is my view that Billy Slater should remain the Maroons fullback for Game 1 of the 2014 series. My reasoning behind this decision is that it is too great a risk to shuffle the Queensland backline in order to accommodate Inglis at fullback.
Additionally, Slater has been a magnificent performer for Queensland and deserves to keep his position. His positional and directional play is still top shelf, as evident by his try assist and line break assist tally this season.
Queensland don’t lose any potency in attack with Inglis continuing to play at centre. As such, I move for the appeal to be dismissed. I will however recommend a review of these findings set for the 29th of May should Queensland lose the opening match in Brisbane.
Order
The appeal should be dismissed. Retrial date set for the 29th May on the condition that Queensland lose the opening match of the series.
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