It’s time to move Cooper Cronk out and bring Michael Morgan in alongside Johnathan Thurston as the halves pairing for the Australian team.
It won’t happen, of course. Cronk is set to be named at halfback, with Thurston at five-eighth, in the Australian team for the Test match against New Zealand at Hunter Stadium on May 6. But sometimes the loyalty factor is over-rated.
Cronk is 32 and there is a Four Nations tournament at the end of this season and a World Cup at the end of next. He is still a force, but he hasn’t been at his best this season.
Thurston turns 33 on Anzac Day. Do we really want to bank on a halves pairing of Thurston, who will be 34 by then, and Cronk, who will be almost 34 (he was born on December 5) at the World Cup?
People talk about how Test jumpers should not be given away cheaply and they are right, but elevating Morgan to Test status now would not be an example of that. At 24, he is ready to make his Test debut and would be thoroughly deserving of the opportunity.
Morgan has already made his State of Origin debut for Queensland. He played three matches off the bench for last year’s series-winning team.
Subsequently, Morgan played a huge part in North Queensland’s grand final win, brilliantly drawing the defence in before putting winger Kyle Feldt over for the try that forced golden point extra time against Brisbane.
Morgan, at five-eighth, and halfback Thurston combine brilliantly for the Cowboys and it makes sense they would do the same for Australia. Why wait any longer to put Morgan in? Do it now and get the transition over with.
It will well be that Morgan will be named as the reserve back for the game against the Kiwis anyway.
Cronk’s Melbourne team have won five of their first seven games, but they are not doing anything stunning. They traditionally get good results early in the season because they are so well prepared by coach Craig Bellamy.
But after the other teams have long caught up to them in terms of finding their groove and once wear and tear has begun to take its effect , the Storm have not done well at the business end of the season in recent years.
It will be interesting to see how rival halves Cronk and Shaun Johnson, of the Warriors, fare when they play opposite each other in the Anzac Day night clash at AAMI Park.
And that is the other thing. New Zealand can select a fantastic halves pairing comprising Kieran Foran and Johnson, who are both just 25.
It appears inevitable that Anthony Milford, who is still only 21 but setting the NRL alight for Brisbane, will be in the halves for both Queensland and Australia eventually.
The Maroons have banned him from Origin this year because he was one of the players who broke curfew at a pre-season emerging Origin players’ camp and Australia coach Mal Meninga has indicated he will recognise that banning at Test level for next month’s game at least.
But it wouldn’t surprise if, eventually, Milford and Morgan are paired in the halves for both Queensland and Australia, with Morgan most probably at halfback.
So why not get Morgan into the starting side now at Test level. It wouldn’t be rushing him and it wouldn’t be handing out a jumper too easily. It would be giving him what he deserves, based on his form going back a while now.
Then Australia could plan ahead to the Four Nations with Morgan and Thurston as the halves and look even further down the track to the World Cup, where Milford could be on the bench behind that pair.
After that, presuming the World Cup is Thurston’s representative swansong, Milford should be ready to make the step up to join Morgan in the starting side.
Matth
Guest
I think you are selling Cronk short. Remember how QLD have struggled the last two years whenever he has been injured?
planko
Roar Guru
Not a centre. End of story. Dugan and Inglis should be playing centre at their clubs. I am not saying he is not a great player. Inglis and Dugan are just better centres.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
And you base that on what? GI would not be picked if it was based purely on form this season. Nor would a couple of other guys who aren't exactly setting the comp on fire. The premise of this article is that Morgan ought to be in the team at Cronks expense. I'm just taking it another step and saying that Hunt would work better at half with JT and Milford would play fullback. They're not really radical suggestions and nobody expects it to happen in the next game but I reckon it would be a strong side.
planko
Roar Guru
Does anyone know if players picked can play this weekend ? Might have a small impact to NQLD Vs Manly...
planko
Roar Guru
They are not going to pick morgan in the Centres FFS
NQ Cowboy
Guest
Very true.
jeandetroyes
Guest
Addendum. While I'm posting comments I just thought I'd mention a bugbear of mine. Commentators keep talking about how great our wingers are these days and how much of a specialist position it has become, yet it seems to have turned into an automatic holding place for any excess fullback or centre that can't be fitted in anywhere else. For God's sake pick players in their specialist positions, or on the bench, or not at all. Give the poor wingers their due!
jeandetroyes
Guest
Firstly, let me start by admitting that I'm a Storm supporter. Having said that, I agree totally with everything you say. The success of Queensland over the past decade has led to the unshakable belief that experience is everything. I agree that it's over-rated. I also agree that a Thurston-Morgan combination is a wise choice. And whilst much is discussed regarding Tedesco or Dugan as fullback, Lachlan Coote would seem to be right up there with them but fails to get much of a mention. I do agree with the philosophy that established combinations are effective (Cronk-Slater-Smith were the spine of the Australian attack back in their more successful days), so Thurston-Morgan-Coote makes a lot of sense. Almost time to start questioning whether there's someone better than the great Cameron Smith at dummy half as well. Almost. Some of his passing is really putting the Storm under pressure this year (even last night), but I guess there's no denying his game sense and game management. There's no real contender for a replacement at the moment, either.
planko
Guest
Same reason why Hodkinson and Reynolds were a good combination especially when in form.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
totally agree with this. Milford & Morgan are both exceptional players but both are primarily running halves. Hunt will be the long term 7 with both these two in the squad, one at 6 and the other on the bench.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I can live with Morgan as starting centre he's got the size, pace and a good kicking game. That way when JT and Cronk do retire both Hunt & Milford will have more experience, after the WC would be ideal. In fact I don't think the Oz selectors have much choice but to start blooding some gen next players given the ages of the current crop. Weren't they dubbed dads army at the last world cup. Throw in some injuries and our stocks aren't all that experienced.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
On form, he's the best choice and I've commented to that effect elsewhere, but thinking in more depth I have to wonder if picking him at centre isn't a better option for the Kangaroos given the injury, form, and retirement list in that position and the fact he can still use many of his playmaking skills there.
Big J
Guest
I think Morgan would be a better fit that Cronk, time gets all players and unfortunately for Cronk, smith, jt and billy boy thier time is nearing a close. Time to replace these greats with the young fellas before they get way too old. Plus it would be a great experience for the younger players
Griffo
Guest
Actually I wouldn't say he's not a halfback, I just think he hasn't been required to play it much for the Cowboys. He did play in the junior grades as a halfback and I wouldn't put it past him. His passing and running games are excellent, he's taken on more of the kicking this season. Realistically all that's left is the game management that a halfback does and hopefully that's something he can learn when he needs to. Even Thurston has learnt a lot about game management over the years with the Cowboys.
Good Game
Guest
Fair argument. What must be taken into consideration, however, is that there are few tests between now and the WC. In fact, to blood a new player in such a key position at this stage is a bit reckless. If we had a bigger (and more competitive - ie more than 2 teams) international calendar than yes blood away. But this is just not the reality of international rugby leauge. No now, not in the short term. Hopefully in the long term.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Cronk hasn't been playing his best lately. He has really been off his game although his clutch plays have been great. If Morgan were picked with a view to the future than I guess that would be fine. I don't know if there's anyone who runs a team better than Cronk though but with all the old heads set to be in the Australian team that might not be too much of an issue. e.g. Gallen, Parker, Smith, JT. If he doesn't get picked than just one less rep game where he has the potential to get injured....and the Storm have enough injuries in the backline already!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Hi Greg, I get your logic for the future but here is the big problem. Milford and Morgan are both world class and Milf will take over from JT as the best in the game when he retires, but neither Milf or Morgs can "run a team". I have seen them both in the General's role and they both struggle, but when you put an organiser next to them they shine. When Cooper and JT are ready to call it a day, I will be shocked if the Maroons do not go with the Broncos combination of Hunt and Milford. This is not to say that Hunt is a better player than Morgan, but Hunt has the advantage of club chemistry with Milford and since being coached by Kev Walters last year under Bennett, he has improved his fifth tackle options immensely. He has graduated from a Sargent to a General. If Hunt and Milford are the next Maroon halfs then it would be foolhardy for Mal to change. Having said all of that, if I had the power of Kev Walters and Mal Meninga I would play Milford at fullback which would allow Morgan to slot in next to Hunt. Milford is freakish with 1 on his shirt and gives him more room and less tackles to make. Lest we forget........
Jay
Guest
What a regression for dce though. Hard to see him getting a run for qld yet alone aus given Morgan, hunt, hilf, mbye infornt of him!
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
I'd pair Morgan with Cronk. Thurston is the weak link in defence, and The Kiwis will continue to run at him all day.
PNG Broncos fan88
Guest
Morgan is like the 6th man in basketball, brilliant in supporting roles but ordinary as the leading man. This is a ridiculous comparison, Morgan is not even a halfback — more of a running 5/8. Hunt and Mbye to fight it out after Cronk farewells on his own terms.