State of Origin great Gorden Tallis believes Queensland should call time on veteran outside back Brent Tate’s Maroons career.
The 32-year-old, who has recently signed a one-year contract extension with North Queensland, has been an ever-present for Queensland in the past two Origin campaigns.
Tallis says Tate has done nothing wrong in 21 appearances for his state but he believes the time is right to hand his spot to a younger option.
The ex-Maroon says if it was up to him, he’d be picking Melbourne’s Will Chambers for the May 28 series opener in Brisbane.
“We need big bodies out wide and I think Will Chambers has been in the backblocks for the last couple of years … it’s his time,” Tallis told Brisbane’s Triple M radio station.
“He’s a great defensive guy. He’s a big body coming out of defensive half.”
Veteran back-rower Ashley Harrison was last year overlooked by selectors after Queensland’s game-one defeat, effectively calling time on his 15-game Origin career.
But a similar scenario seems unlikely for Tate, with selectors likely to at least start the series with those they know before making any drastic changes.
One headache for the Maroons is the fitness of Sam Thaiday, who is in doubt for game one as he continues to battle a niggling calf problem.
Tallis believes Sydney Roosters forward Aidan Guerra should be brought into the team if Thaiday isn’t fit, with former Queensland representative Dave Taylor disappointing him during Gold Coast’s 40-18 loss to South Sydney last weekend.
“He disappoints me in the big, tough games,” Tallis said of Taylor.
“It’s not the easy games, it’s the tough games and Origin footy is the toughest game you can play.
“I love Aidan Guerra. He’s playing in a pack at the Roosters which won the comp last year. He’s playing with Sonny Bill Williams and Boyd Cordner and I think, if Boyd Cordner can play for Australia, this guy’s just as good every week.”
Slain
Guest
After watching last night's game...Tate is still the man and has my vote! I do not see how NSW will win this series. All the QLD players are at the prime form.
Raugeee
Guest
Tate is such a great servant and embodies the Maroon spirit. If he is fit he will play. A team can't carry a defensive liability into a SOO. I have never seen Will Chambers play on the wing. I feel Gordy is stirring here.
Scrubbit
Guest
If Tate who plays on the wing is to be dropped he won't be replaced by a specialist centre. In my mind it'll be a big young bloke who will eat up metres from kick returns, and be able to put a little more starch into the defence outside hodges. I'm not sure if Vidot can play this year but if he can he would be my first choice replacement (keep in mind I want Tate to stay). My second choice would be Edrick Lee (gone for the season). So id have to settle with a clone of Greg inglis.
Gazzatron
Guest
My mistake but why is chambers being mentioned? Surely picking a winger would be more sensible?
Muzz
Guest
That's a job for QLDs,VOR. My point is don't rest on your laurels.
Jackson Henry
Guest
Guerra.
V.O.R.
Guest
How would you improve it Muzz?
Jackson Henry
Guest
Yeah, and I do wonder about Tallis' credibility on a lot of things. He tends to make a few enemies around the joint with his "fearless" opinions, and then uses his media profile to destabilise those same enemies,...but it unclear whether or not he actually does the things he says. Which is exactly what a lot of other blokes in the NRL media do, so fair enough in a way. But I do note his captaincy record, at both club and state level, is hardly glowing. And I've also noticed that he has a bit Paul Gallen in him, as a lot of his games for Qld didn't result in victories. And, from what I've heard, this was a guy who was stitching up Lockyer in 2004/2005 for his lack of success as a captian.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
But Tate plays wing and Hodges centre?
Brett
Guest
I understand your view, and I kind of agree. Punters and commentators constantly change their opinions to the point where it becomes irrelevant. In my opinion, the current QLD team have been producing the desired results, therefore massive changes are not required. Meninga needs to start looking to the future, which he has done with the inclusion of Cherry-Evans, Gillet, McQueen, Te'o and Papalli in the squad. The beauty about origin, is that the previous year has no correlation at all to the current series. QLD fans do focus on 8-0, but the QLD team and staff definitely do not, it is clear where their focus lies.
Muzz
Guest
It amazes me how opinions vary on certain players and how quick punters can change their minds.Player x can have 1 great game and now he should bump player Y for his position.This seems to change from game to game for some commentators. It's also interesting how the majority of QLD fans don't want to change or attempt to improve a winning team that only just managed to win last years series against a NSW team that was missing Hayne and Ferguson in game 3.Personally,i wouldn't be thinking 8 - 0. I would be focusing on last years series and how the team can be improved.
dallas
Guest
Give tate one more series, he wont let anyone down. Chambers and gagai need to come in next year though
Scrubbit
Guest
Gordie would have a whole new team running out if he had his way.
V.O.R.
Guest
Tate received MOM in Origin 3 last year.
TGGOA
Guest
Agree, I had Gagai instead of Tate but I'd be happy with Chambers, didn't realize he is 190cm and 101kgs. Loyalty is good and all but as the team ages, there needs to be a succession plan.
Gazzatron
Guest
Justin hodges will take tates spot now he's fit
The eye
Guest
Makes too much sense,Gordie..