With Darius Boyd looking to be unavailable for selection and Brent Tate now retired, who will Mal Meninga select to play on the wing for the Queensland Maroons in 2015? In this edition of the series, we look at the Queensland wingers.
Will it be Dale Copley, Will Chambers, Dane Gagai or a bolter to line up on the flanks for the Maroons?
Dale Copley (Brisbane Broncos)
Aspley Devils junior Dale Copley is destined for huge things. A stand-out for the Broncos last season, Copley scored 16 tries in 25 matches for Brisbane, more than any other Broncos player. He has played in front of large crowds before but is yet to play in front of a stage as big as State of Origin.
Dale Copley must step-up his season if he wants to be included in Meninga’s side for Game 1, after returning from injury last week.
Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm)
26-year old William Chambers was the Maroons’ 18th-man in the first two games of the 2014 State of Origin series, making his State of Origin debut in Game 3 as a replacement for the injured Brent Tate. Chambers has proven he can perform in the State of Origin arena, he might just be the man to heal the Maroons’ wounds for the second year in a row.
Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
Born in Mackay, Dane Gagai will no doubt wear the Maroon jersey one day however, the question is when? At just 24 years of age, Gagai is part of Queensland’s generation-next missing out on selection for last year’s Maroons side but featuring in the emerging Maroons squad two years in a row.
Dane Gagai has been one of the most deadly wingers so far this season and if selected, will add some spark to Queensland’s attack.
Bolters
The grandson of a Queensland rugby league legend, Lachlan Maranta (Brisbane Broncos) isn’t the best choice to play for the Maroons but is still a chance. The 22-year-old winger from Brisbane has been in great form for the Broncos so far this season, scoring four tries from five games.
John Folau (Parramatta Eels) has represented his state before playing for the Queensland Under-20s team in 2014 a year in which he also represented Tonga in their Test against Papua New Guinea. Scoring two tries after just three games. the baby-faced younger brother of NSW Waratahs star Israel Folau is already turning heads.
Edrick Lee (Canberra Raiders) was one of Queensland’s best players in their 2012 U20s Origin match. The tall Raiders winger showed the rugby league world his attacking prowess in that game.
Edrick Lee has played 29 first grade games for the Raiders, scoring 15 tries in a career plagued by injury. However, if the beginning of his 2015 season is anything to go by, it looks as though Lee may be ready for his first full season in first-grade.
Come May 27, Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos) will be wearing a Queensland jersey, representing his state in the series opener. However, it is unsure where Hodges will play.
The Broncos captain has featured 21 times since 2002 for Queensland, scoring a total of five tries. The dominant outside back could be playing his last State of Origin series as he will turn 33 years just two days before Game 1.
Justin Hodges could be a deadly replacement on the wing and he has enough experience under his belt to appear on the flank for Meninga’s Maroons.
fiddlesticks
Guest
i dont think those guys would have made a huge difference
Sideline Comm.
Guest
"Dane Gagai has been one of the most deadly wingers so far this season..." No he hasn't.
GUMASA
Guest
my QLD team, 1. Slater 2. Dale Copley 3. Greg Ingis 4. Justin Hodges 5. Will Chambers 6. JT 7. Cronk 8. Scott 9. Smith 10.Myles 11.Gillet 12.Thaiday 13. Parker 14.Hunt 15.Macguire 16.Lillyman 17.Taylor 18.Evans
db swannie
Guest
Lol at some of the names thrown up . Baring injury it will be . 1.Slater 2.Gagai. 3 .GI 4 Hodges 5.chambers
Jake Savage
Roar Rookie
I think you may find Inglis at Fullback and Slater out on the wing this series. Copley will probably get the other wing spot. Chambers or Gagai as the centre pairing with Hodges. This makes the most sense as Slater can still cover at the back and let GI do his thing. I think the storm will need to start coming up with a similar plan soon. alas Mini/ RTS last year.
SpongeBob
Guest
QLD have the best front-line talent, however NSW has a lot more depth coming through. Just the Rabbitohs a few injuries to QLD exposes a lot of fresh faces. Losing Hunt, Falou, Yow-yeh were huge. If QLD still had those guys would be set for the next decade.
P.Marlowe
Guest
Agree about Valentine Holmes as a potential bolter. Six months ago, I would have said Vidot but Bennett seems intent on wasting his 2015. If Lachlan Maranta makes the Queensland team, I really would be questioning my faith in the Queensland selectors. I think I would prefer to bring back Chris Walker.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Gagai and Chambers unless there is an injury to one or more of Slater, Hodges or Inglis. Or Gagai and Chambers now that I think about it.
Lachlan Simpson
Guest
Surely Valentine Holmes deserves a mention, if only as a bolter?