How far will Queensland be prepared to go to try to find the right team to play NSW in State of Origin II?
Personally, I don’t think it will matter. The tables have turned with that Game 1 win to the Blues and they’re not going to be turned back. Not in this series anyway.
The Maroons might be able to field a team that will make more of a game of it in Sydney on June 21 than they did in Brisbane, but not enough to change the result.
Option one when the selectors meet to name their team on Monday will be to do nothing and give everyone who played in the 28-4 loss on May 31 a second chance.
That would be suicide, but it won’t happen anyway since Johnathan Thurston will automatically return at five-eighth, with Anthony Milford presumably missing out altogether on the 17, if Thurston is fit again after missing the first game.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Still, if they were to stop at that one change it would be at the grave risk of losing again – even with Thurston back in the side.
Option two will be to make two or three changes, which may or may not include Billy Slater coming back into the side at fullback and Darius Boyd moving to the wing.
It is going to be the most fascinating element of the selection process, to see whether Slater is recalled.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters has declared it a big chance Slater will be back, saying: “There’s no concern with Billy Slater. We’ve just seen him get better and better. That’s what we hoped would happen with Billy. He’s right back in the frame now for Game 2 .”
I’m not sure if Walters, when he says “we”, is talking about the selection panel, which comprises himself, Gene Miles and Darren Lockyer, or the State of Queensland, or both.
But I’m not hearing Miles or Lockyer talk about it and unless they declare their hand for all to see in the next few days we’re still only guessing about which way it will go on Monday.
When you make as big a call as the panel did in leaving Slater out for game one, it becomes an even bigger call to bring him straight back in – no matter what the circumstances might be.
Thursday night’s huge game between Cronulla and Melbourne at Southern Cross Group Stadium is likely to have a huge bearing on whether Slater is picked.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Sure, he had a blinder for the Storm at home last weekend, with two tries and two try assists in a 40-12 win, but they were playing Newcastle, who are awful.
Playing on the road against the Sharks will give a much clearer – and perfectly timed – indication of whether bringing back Slater, who turns 34 on June 18, is the way to go.
Option three is to go the whole hog and make a host of changes.
That could include Slater coming back and Boyd going to the wing, or Boyd staying at fullback, Justin O’Neill being axed from the centres and Dane Gagai moving in from the wing, with Valentine Holmes coming in out wide.
The forwards under pressure to retain their spots are Nate Myles, Aidan Guerra, Sam Thaiday and Jacob Lillyman, but how many go could depend on what the selectors think of the options to replace them.
After Coen Hess and Jarrod Wallace, those options quickly thin out, with Gavin Cooper and Korbin Sims being talked about after that.
It doesn’t bother me whether Slater comes in or not. It’s up front where the selectors have got to act and if they don’t get rid of three of that quartet, along with O’Neill, then they’re not doing their job.
Wild Eagle
Guest
I predicted before the series a 3 nil win for the Blues after seeing last years series . I thought then that NSW ended up on top mentally and physically and felt that this years series was when they would turn things around. The sharks defeat of the Storm gave the Sharks SOO players a lot of belief as well. Of course the champions of QLD can't be ruled out but it will be a big effort to win in Sydney with these champions at the and of their careers along with the new blood who could struggle with the pressure. Looking forward to a great game.
WQ
Guest
Thanks for your excellent contribution Oingo Boingo, it's comments like yours that keep people coming back to the Roar......
Oingo Boingo
Guest
And if ya Aunty had a kock she'd be your uncle .
thomas c
Guest
They don't have the same size of player pool and the broncos and cowboys being fairly set (the aforementioned aging origin stalwarts) means that young QLD players aren't being rushed in. The NSW teams have smatterings of QLD players, leaving only the QLD teams and maybe the storm as main pathways into the NRL (the 3 queensland teams also have spots taken by Kiwis, and some NSW talent). They only have handful of guys that are the right age and are showing talent that suggests state of origin. Planning doesn't get more QLD players into the NRL.
thomas c
Guest
It has to be said that Sam Thaiday has handed in some of his better work of recent years when He had something to prove (recall his one man war on JWH a year or two back following being relegated to the bench) . But the question is whether he still has it in him. At club level, Bennett has been playing him off against Alex Glenn for a starting spot, and he hasn't responded as well as he might (he runs hard, but Glenn might have better mobility in defense). But he does need to assert himself soon or risk losing him various representative honours. (I want to believe Justin Hodges thinks ST has another gear and will respond, otherwise this risks being a personal betrayal)
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Tourette's ?
DJ01
Guest
I'd bring in Wallace, Hess, and Sims to replace Myles, Guerra and Lillyman. Sims has been pretty handy for Brisbane so far this year, he's already scored a couple of tries.
sheek
Roar Guru
EagleJack, This time I was giving it to NSW supporters. But I read you, both states are full of morons. I'm a Maroons supporter, but I don't live my life according to how my favourite teams perform. I won't hate myself or the world for 12 months if Qld lose the series. There's more important stuff to worry about in life. Sport ought to be a pleasant distraction. More than anything, I like to see a good contest. But all the verbal diarrhoea is interesting.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
You don't live in QLD sheek. Radio has been pretty funny. Normally mocking NSW this time of year, they are genuinely rattled. Blaming all and sundry for the selections and poor form. Even Kevvie Walters said there is a little panic around, which he said was understandable given the way they lost. Fans are allowed to have a bit of a gloat. It's part and parcel of sport. But the team itself were very magnanimous in victory, stating straight away it means nothing if they don't turn up in Sydney. Such is the great respect they have for QLD NSW were far from perfect in Game I. Terrible in patches, and failed to convert a lot of chances. They will need to be better, and they can be much better. So can QLD. Which means we are in for a cracker!
sheek
Roar Guru
Amazing! Qld haven't even picked their SOO2 team yet, & they're apparently panicking!!!!! I've never read so much rubbish in a long time like the massive diatribe after SOO1. There's an old saying: "be gracious in defeat & magnanimous in victory". NSW obviously haven't heard of that saying. Seriously, NSW are going to have to play two perfect games in a row to stop so many people suffering foot in mouth disease..... So, go on, I dare you, does NSW have two perfect consecutive games in them????? Do you think champions like Smith, Cronk & Thurston, if he plays, haven't figured out a riposte? Slater would merely be cream on top if he plays. There's been so much self-congratulation south of the border I hope NSW folks haven't forgotten it's a three game series. Geez..........
Good Hippo
Guest
What is Morgan's long term position? is he a fullback? Surely the rebuild must start now... with the big 3 all retiring within a year or two. or is Val Holmes the long term fullback? or Boyd?
WQ
Guest
They've won there before TruBlu, certainly not as convincingly however I think people are getting a little carried away by the scoreline. Qld actually score the two tries they probably should have scored in the second half i.e. Gillett, Guerra and all of a sudden the score is 28 - 16. Still a comfortable win but not the domination being touted.
Mango Jack
Guest
Wouldn't you prefer a 1 game dynasty like last year? :)
The eye
Guest
Ridiculous..
TruBlu
Guest
It's certainly too early to be crowing. However I think the significance of the win wasn't just the score line but also the venue that is the cauldron of Suncorp.
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
I agree with your comments re the Qld pack. I think everyone knows that Myles and Guerra played one origin too many. Probably Lilyman and Thaiday as well.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Yup , had more to do with who didn't play than, who did.
Marco
Guest
Origin is great but it's interesting that more people seem to be talking about origin than the club competition. It's really taken the heat out of it this year. NSW for me. A close one.
south coast bandit
Guest
that NSW side was not as good as this one, that QLD side was much better than this one.
WQ
Guest
'The tables have turned with that Game 1 win to the Blues and they’re not going to be turned back.' I'd love to have received a dollar for every time I've heard a statement like this over the last 10 years Will, I could have bought the whole state of NSW if I had!