Queensland halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has been left out of the Maroons’ team for Game 3 of the 2015 State of Origin side.
With Cooper Cronk returning for Game 3 after missing Game 2 due to injury, his replacement for the second clash has missed out from selection altogether. Cherry-Evans didn’t travel to Queensland with the squad today, instead attending a charity golf event in Sydney.
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Queensland coach Mal Meninga said that Cherry-Evans was extremely disappointed to miss selection, but Meninga said he felt it was the best move for the team.
Aside from missing Billy Slater and Josh McGuire with injury, it is the same team that won Game 1 for the Maroons, with Cronk’s inclusion a massive bonus.
Cronk proved the match winner in Game 1 of the series, snapping a crucial field goal that gave the Maroons a one-point victory at ANZ Stadium.
Cherry-Evans failed to prove as decisive for the Maroons in the second game at the MCG, where Queensland went down by eight points.
Now, it looks as though the utility spot he used to occupy for Queensland has been filled by North Queensland five-eighth Michael Morgan.
The news came on Twitter today, with Cherry-Evans spotted in Sydney, with the team to be announced in Brisbane.
Queensland have suffered a couple of setbacks in the lead-up to Origin 3, with Billy Slater and Josh McGuire both ruled out due to injury.
Slater will have shoulder surgery while McGuire has injured his Achilles tendon.
Dylan Napa and Josh Papalii are both in line for call-ups in place of McGuire, while Dane Gagai is favoured to take a backline spot for Queensland. It’s likely he’ll start on the wing, with Will Chambers to take the left centre spot vacated by Greg Inglis, who moves to fullback in place of the injured Slater.
The NSW team will be announced tomorrow, with Robbie Farah expected to miss out with a broken hand, though scans will confirm this.
Queensland’s team was announced at 4pm AEST today.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Do you think he cares about all this origin stuff with 10 million in his pocket, I bet its a release for him not to be involved with extra pressure of the Qld fans who whinge about everything and anything. DCE is a smart man and he must be relived not to be in SOO. He also knows that everybody and anybody will be knocking him about the 10 million purse and irrespective of what he does he will always do things wrong or not to someone's satisfaction. DCE is facing a very hard few years of critics and dissatisfied fans irrespective of what he does.
dayer
Guest
You should be worried because Sharks won most of their games this year without the grubby Gallen.
dayer
Guest
Great news for QLD
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Maybe Cronk will hurt himself by Friday I guess can't be too lucky and have JT AND DCE off in back2back wks
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Well he is in the same direction as he started. Manly.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Not sure what the issue with that is. I mean, he gets paid to play well for Manly, not for Queensland or Australia.
Irritated By Stupidity
Guest
Like the other guy said earlier he's QLD's version of Mitchell Pearce
Renegade
Roar Guru
yeah very good for manly... I'm actually worried about this game now. Full strength, needing the win and at brookie... Tough ask for the Sharks with no Gal or Ennis.
WQ
Guest
Well let's face it, he has been given every opportunity and quite simply has not stepped up to Origin level. He is not the first great club player to make an average Rep player and he want be the last!
Bungeeee
Guest
I hope this fires up DCE to help Manly charge into the 8 . Never say die.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Hunt and Milford are the future for QLD. Morgan is lived because he looks like a back rower. Selectors obviously switched the Cows game off at half time.
up up cronulla
Guest
Great now he will be on fire for manly this weekend lol
Johnnyball
Guest
Thank you God, DCE never got SOO
Kerrie
Guest
Serves Manly right. If DCE is the $10M man then I would hate to think what Thurston and Cronk are worth.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Only reason i can think that Hunt gets overlooked for Morgan is that Morgan is perceived to be more versatile. Hunt is like Cooper Cronk from a few years ago, great player who would be starting half if he did not have to compete with two of the best halves in the game at the moment like Cronk did with JT and Lockyer.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Go Manly!
a
Guest
Please play DCE We need Morgan to play against the Dragons on saturday night or even hunt will do just not morgan
Phill
Guest
The loyalty is to the fans to bring home the shield, that is first and foremost, player loyalty comes second. That is how the game works Jimbo! Pick and stick is easy when you are continually thumping your opposition for 8 years!
pete bloor
Guest
They have DCE only came in for Cronk :)
pete bloor
Guest
Yep he back flipped on Manly not the titans :)