For the first time in recent memory, Queensland have a selection dilemma. This is not to be misunderstood – the majority of the team selects itself, with the forward pack set to run out the familiar names, save for a possible Sam Thaiday or Nate Myles bench move, and the legendary combination of Cooper Cronk and Johnathon Thurston will walk into their halves spots.
It is in the outside backs that the Maroons will finally have some tough decisions to make. Juxtaposed to their opposition, the northern squad remains a picture perfect model of consistency, but there are decisions to be made. There are four in-form young guns vying for three open spots, and potential for a few line-up moves to accommodate new personal.
With first-choice centre Will Chambers succumbing to a season-ending injury, Greg Inglis struggling with consistency and Darius Boyd claiming the Kangaroos custodian role, the Maroons will have a slightly new line-up to display come game one.
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Billy Slater, as he did games two and three, will unfortunately be unavailable once again, Justin Hodges now hosts a television show in place of playing rugby league, leaving three open positions – left wing, right centre and right wing.
With the abundance of young talent the Maroons have currently assembled, it is a blessing in disguise to be able to open positions for some youth to be integrated into their systems and get their feet wet in the Origin pool.
Corey Oates, forever touted the future of back-row, has made a fair crack of playing ‘out of position,’ developing into one of the finest flanks in the league. He is a masterful finisher (nine tries from eight games), an obvious high-ball target with his size, and a great ball returner from his own end (second in the league with 11 line-breaks).
The completion of Oates’ evolution has seen him grow comfortable traveling in-field to get involved, especially when the Broncos are trapped down their own end, coming through with mighty carries in important points throughout the game.
Considering the 21-year-olds certain future as a core member of the next-generation Maroons squad, it would be wise, and typical of the Queensland system, to give Oates his first origin berth. With Boyd shifting to the back, Oates will be paired up with Inglis on the favoured left, a dynamic attacking edge. Expect to see Oates replace Boyd seamlessly.
Over to the right side, and for the first time in what feels like eternity, there are multiple positions up for grabs. Dane Gagai, who was strong last year in his debut on the right wing, scoring a try in the dominant win, will be aiming to clamp down and secure a backline spot moving forward.
Shifting in and out of Fullback and centre for the struggling Knights, his form has been inconsistent, however the variety may be credited to being one of the very few reliable options for the young squad.
For Gagai’s career trajectory, Chambers’ absence and Hodges’ retirement are both timely opportunities for the Newcastle star to confirm his place as a regular origin performer. Issue is, Gagai is facing steep competition from both members of the in-form Cowboys right flank.
Kyle Feldt, 24, and Justin O’Neil, 25 are both in sensational, career-best form. Its a curious position for the Maroons, as there will be at least two debutants (and possibly three), however the candidates have all experienced the big-stage atmosphere, playing throughout last year’s finals series and some of this year’s high-intensity contests. Whoever is selected will have no doubt earned their spot and be primed to step forward with the next generation of Maroons.
The great theatrics of rugby league are working again, with Oates and Feldt set to line-up across from one another on Friday night in the second installment of last year’s grand final rematch. With a field goal separating both of the last two contests, there are high hopes Friday produces another classic contest, with the wing face-off just one of the many fascinating match-ups across the park.
The dilemma remains whether to stick with incumbent Gagai, select the potent, in-form combination of Feldt and O’Neil, or whichever of the two Cowboys warrants selection over the other. Considering the regular selection pattern, the most likely outcome is that Gagai will be retained, leaving a place open for either of the North Queensland stars.
Feldt is the natural winger, and the bigger body (104kg) that may find the transition to Origin slightly easier. O’Neil isn’t a stranger to the flank, playing plenty of minutes there for the Cowboys prior to Feldt’s emergence.
To be candid, it’s another case of good problems to have for the Queensland selectors, and any combination of Feldt, O’Neil, and Gagai to partner Oates in the Maroons backline will be more than capable of getting the job done.
There is every chance Walters has already settled on who he will take into game one, however word is that the Queensland camp is still tossing up as to who will get the job, with Friday night shaping as a superb contest, displaying three of the potential players on the same flank.
Origin season is truly upon us, and we wait eagerly for the first team announcements next week.
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