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.
More Origin:
» 2016 State of Origin
» State of Origin fixtures
» State of Origin teams
» NSW Blues team for Origin 1
» My QLD Maroons team for Origin 1
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.
Benno
Guest
It is a fascinating debate to leave Boyd on the wing and play Morgan at fullback. However, slotting Oates straight into wing to team up with Inglis is a scary combination that NSW will have trouble holding out. Yes, Inglis isn't playing his best football but he sure does know how to play origin/rep footy. Oates is in wonderful form and definitely deserves his crack. I just believe (my personal opinion) Walters won't do anything to alarming based on how well it worked with Morgan coming off the bench last year. Whilst Boyd has no where near the attacking flare of Morgan, he is safe under the high ball and is a man of few errors. I just believe Morgan can have a large impact off the bench as a utility, and can inject some serious go-forward for the Maroons, especially in the 2nd half if it is a tight contest.
Brayden Issa
Roar Rookie
Regardless of Cronks form he is simply too quality of a performer to be on the bench. Considering the last time he was absent from the QLD side was the only series they lost in 10 years, its safe to say the would be hesitant in moving him anywhere. I'm glad you mentioned this, a potential idea I was toying with and wanted some feedback on was potentially leaving Boyd over on the right wing and slotting Morgan in at fullback. Firstly it limits the amount of debutants in the side, and leaves Boyd and Inglis together, the best scoring duo in origin history. It allows them to capitalize on Morgans form and his combination with JT, and adds arguably a more dangerous threat than Boyd at the back. For as good as Boyd is, it hard to argue he is a better player than Morgan at this stage.
P. Marlowe
Guest
Cheers. As I said, I may be being a bit unfair to O'Neil. As I don't get to see the Cowboys play much, his game against the Roosters in I think round 1 last year (where he was terrible although not alone) seems to be really solidified in an opinion on O'Neil. As a bit of a left field idea, one potential would be to start Cronk on the bench and almost go with the Cowboys backline (save for Inglis in place of Linnett, Oates/Gagai in place of Winterstein and Boyd instead of Coote). I have always thought the Cronk/Thurston dynamic does look a little disjointed (compared to Thurston/Lockyer). If you had most of the Cowboys backline, you would have a group who really know how to play well together already (particularly the Thurston/Morgan combo).
Brayden Issa
Roar Rookie
To clarify, that was in reference to Queensland Origin. Was phrased poorly my bad. As stated, Chambers will be available for the back end of the season and the storm finals run. I guess playing Centre full time it would be more fair to say Feldt is safer than O'Neil under the ball rather than O'Neil being shaky, although he did have some suspect game last year. Being the natural winger Feldt would slide into that role more comfortably.
P. Marlowe
Guest
I didn't realise Chambers is out for the season? I thought it was three months so definitely missing Origin but back for finals if Melbourne make it. I think I would be more comfortable with Feldt than O'Neil. For some reason, I keep thinking O'Neil is suspect under the high ball (I am not sure if I am being unfair on that).