Obviously Mal Meninga will choose Maroons captain Cameron Smith at hooker for the 2015 State of Origin series, but who could be in Queensland’s sights if Smith becomes unavailable?
Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
Over the past 12 years, Cameron Smith has represented his state 33 times. No doubt he will feature in his 13th State of Origin series in 2015.
The 2006 Dally M Medallist has played almost 300 games and won grand finals in 2007, 2009 and 2012. He has also won the Wally Lewis Medal for best player in the State of Origin series in 2007, 2011 and 2013.
One of the best hookers of all time, Smith will look to guide his state to a series win in 2015 and bring the shield back north of the Tweed.
James Segeyaro (Penrith Panthers)
Born in Papua New Guinea, Segeyaro is the best young hooker in rugby league. Growing up in Cairns, ‘Choc’ has previously represented the Junior Kangaroos in 2010, his only rep jersey so far.
The 2014 Dally M Hooker of the Year has had an outstanding start to the 2015 season, after helping Penrith to their best season in years, falling one game short of the NRL grand final.
Andrew McCullough (Brisbane Broncos)
Born in Dalby, 86 kilometres from Toowoomba, McCullough has played over 150 NRL games since his debut in 2008, and has been pivotal in keeping Brisbane in finals contention over the past five years, having played nearly every game for the Broncos since 2009.
McCullough could be Smith’s successor, however he hasn’t done much on the big stage.
Jake Friend (Sydney Roosters)
Friend has been hailed as the next Australian and Queensland hooker, having played nearly 150 games with the Sydney Roosters for whom he has been given the role of co-captain in 2015.
However, he has dropped off lately with injury and has struggled for a spot in the starting side.
Matt Ballin (Manly Sea Eagles)
Replacing Cameron Smith through injury in 2010, Ballin is the only active hooker in the National Rugby League to have represented the Queensland Maroons apart from Smith.
Ballin has played over 200 first-grade games and is tireless in defence. The Manly hooker is one of the best players out of dummy half and has the experience to play at State of Origin level.
mick longhurst
Roar Rookie
As a panthers fan i would love to see Segeyaro get a run if Smith was out. As a Blues supporter i hope he never does.
Qt he eye
Guest
Friendy clearly number 2 in the country..
matty matt
Guest
nothing scary about Jake Friend, hes not origin class
nayfo
Guest
How has jake friend struggled to get a spot on the starting side??? He only returned from injury last week and rightly so came on from the bench, he has been elevated to the starting side this week in his 2nd game back. Yep poor bloke is struggling. Jake friend will take over from Cameron Smith as QLD hooker once Smith retires.
langerthebronco
Guest
Robbie Farrah and Issac Luke are ahead of Friend in the "NRL".
john toohey
Guest
try
Kenan
Guest
Some Guru you are Riley. Jake Friend got injured last year, had surgery and returned off the bench last week. When he came on he played the last 51 mins straight and made 51 Tackles in his first game. He also added an excellent attacking and kicking edge to his game last year. Jake Friend is out and out the next best hooker in the NRL after cameron smith.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think they could seriously consider Segeyaro to be on the bench in place of DCE. When he comes on Smith goes to 2nd row as he did in the tests at World Cup when Farah was on bench. Segeyaro coming in against tiring forwards might be a match winner....then again DCE got the first break when he came in during the last Origin so good options either way.
Casper
Guest
Ballin for mine as a proven commodity, and you don't carry a hooker as a substitute on the bench in origin. Smith will play the full match if selected so Segeyaro or Friend would be a total waste. Mal's formula is three big forwards and a backline cover. They don't really have a forward like Te'o to drop out into the backline if there's an injury because Gillett has lost a bit of pace after bulking up this year. Looks like Chambers will get Tate's wing spot with Gagai tipped as the other. Don't like playing centres on the wing so I'd look at Valentine Holmes or Edrick Lee to add some pace as finishers. Lee would be interesting chasing the high ball as he brings that height to the side that NSW try to exploit with Tupuo. Morgan covers lock, halfback, 5/8 and fullback so he's got to be the pea in front of DCE and Ben Hunt as the backline cover. He's also got the size to throw in the pack in an emergency. Has been really impressive since the Cowboys turned things around and was MOM in Monday's win over souths. As long as Slater is fit, Inglis stays in the centres, although he hasn't done a lot there in recent times. Souths use him as a battering ram close to the line and it seems he's carrying an injury. Luckily, Qld is blessed with goal kickers with Thurston, Smith and Parker first choices at their respective clubs.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Riley - I admire your staying power with these articles. Most of the Qld ones are pretty cut and dried with injuries the only real concern. I've got a bad, bad feeling about origin this year. Thurston, Scott and Thaiday starting to run into red hot form. The Melbourne trio ticking along nicely. Inglis and Hodges injuries the main concern with having to pick two new wingers the secondary issue. Meanwhile Hayne is gone. Hodkinson and J Reynolds struggling. A Reynolds injured. B Morris injured. Fifita injured. Ferguson injured. Pearce and Maloney playing themselves out of form. At least Hoffman's playing well.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Now that is how you do depth. Smith will play, and he will be the best on ground. If he gets injured. Gee, Jake Friend with Segeyaro on the bench would be a scary prospect for NSW too. Friend is big enough and good enough to play back row when Segs comes on. McCullough would do the job too. He has gotten some of the silly stuff out of his game and is a defensive machine.
Rabbits
Guest
McCullough hasn't got the stones to be a good Origin hooker. He stood like a lost school kid waiting for the teacher to come in and penalise Wigan centre Tony clubb after the grub flattened his teammate Jordan Kahu and then shoved his head down as he was trying to get up. In Origin you get stuck into the opposition when that happens in front of you - sin bin rule or not.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Again, of course Smith will play if he is fit. If not, I'd reckon Ballin will get a callup with either "Chicko" (not Choc, that was Anthony Watmough's former nickname before it was replaced by Dropmough) or Friend on the bench.