Kevin Walters has reinstated Queensland’s loyalty policy for Game 3, vowing to ‘pick and stick’ with the blacklisting of Daly Cherry-Evans.
The Queensland coach was compelled to renew the state’s bedrock principle after Johnathan Thurston was ruled out for the season with a suspiciously un-trampled shoulder.
Walters is on the hunt for a new playmaker after the Cowboys ace opted for surgery on a joint deemed by doctors as ‘rooted’ and Andrew Johns as ‘not rooted enough.’
With a ton of NRL and representative experience and a premiership to his name, Cherry-Evans immediately emerged as the obvious choice to fill the void.
But when quizzed on NRL 360 about potential candidates, Walters proceeded to read out every name on the Queensland electoral roll except those containing fruit and a hyphen.
Names suggested in preference to the Manly man were Michael Morgan, Cameron Munster, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Laurie Spina, Keith Urban, Karrie Webb, Lisa Curry-Kenny, and of most concern, Moses Mbye.
It is believed Walters holds concerns towards Cherry-Evans suitability to Origin, particularly his style of being non-threatening to New South Wales.
In addition, it is also rumoured his refined, rugby-style disposition is considered incongruous to the state’s culture.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
While Walters did acknowledge Cherry-Evans’ blistering form, he refused to shy away from the tough decisions required to keep intact Queensland’s stunning Origin streak which currently stands at 716 days without him in the squad.
The coach also ruled the 28-year-old out of plans for any extended squads, preferring to avoid the perception of potentially promising something and then reneging “like someone he knows.”
However, in a positive for Cherry-Evans, Walters didn’t rule out a future recall for the halfback.
The coach suggested that he may play Origin again, but only in a hostage situation or “in his mind”.
Despite being seemingly banished until New South Wales’ next period of dominance – or if earlier, the end of time – the coach did pay tribute to the role Cherry-Evans played in Game 2 by staying home in Manly.
As a result of his vital contribution to the win, the QRL plans to erect a statue of the blonde halfback sitting on the lounge in his reggies.
Percycutor
Roar Pro
Brilliant! DCE is in the best form of his career but doesnt fit the Squad with Cronk the half back. To be fair to DCE playing off the bench previously in Origin and having to play Lock he was up against it to stand out. Morgan will start at 6 and it looks like all the noise is Munster off the bench in the utility role. Hard to argue Munster is tough and could cover any backline position at a push. Gagai will go to centre and Oates will be recalled. I would also drop Glasby, start Simms and have Wallace play the longer minutes off the bench.
matth
Guest
I'd go Morgan and Munster to fill the two available spots. They have been in the system this year so will need the least transition. As to which one plays 5/8th, I'd leave that to Cronk and Smith to decide. And then I'd put Oates on the bench. With Morgan and Munster in the starting line up, we are covered for any backline injury, with Oates onto the wing and Gagai to the centres. And I think Oates might be a factor steaming in for 10 or 15 at the end of each half running off inside balls. DCE has been great this year and I would have him firmly in the frame for number 7 next year when the team can be re-designed with him taking the reins.
matth
Guest
I'm going to have a guess at 'explicit'. Or you used Dave Taylor and Origin in the same paragraph.
Craig
Guest
Said every nsw supporter.
Jeff dustby
Guest
I think Mbye would be a wise selection
Roberto
Guest
Pick Ben Hunt, QLD will win by 30....NSW are shot!
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Im not a big believer that Origin is "that" different. He has played in a premiership, won the CC medal, he is a big game player. Been one of the best for 7 years (bar an average 2016). He's no rookie. I don't know of too many people who would have thrived being thrown into the Origin arena given the circumstances. He has been as good as Morgan off the bench. Probably better, given how little impact Morgan has ever had. Bar getting concussed early. Was DCE even that bad in 2014? Or was he an easy scapegoat for QLDers who were bitterly disappointed by the result? But I could be wrong. Clearly Ben Hunt and Moses Mbye are ahead of him. Lol. Got my tickets to Game III, Jimmmy. Should be a belter!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Doubt they'd start Morgan and put Munster on the bench in the small-lock utility role, Munster doesn't quite have the tackling for it.
Jimmmy
Guest
Don't worry Joe , the Storm could have all their team selected on Origin 3 and they team they put on the field would still win. I am watching the Roosters game ATM and the Storm depth is unbelievable.!
Jimmmy
Guest
EJ , I too was less than impressed with Milf at Origin level . I don't give him a free pass at all. Give me DCE any day. However DCE or Munster is a no contest for me . Munster is Origin tough . I am of course willing to be proved wrong . I have no vendetta against DCE . He is a wonderful footballer . But Origin?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Not sure how you can say that about DCE though. Off the bench he has been great. And we now know the errors made by Meninga when starting him, or when he came off the bench to replace Cronk, having never trained in the halves in the lead up. I reckon Milford was worse than DCE has ever been in Origin. Yet he is given a free pass. I have no doubt that DCE backflipping on the Titans clouds many QLDers judgement about him. They needed a scapegoat for the series loss in 2014 and unfortunately that became DCE. Despite him being quite good off the bench again in Game III. But Im not too disappointed about that. We get him all year round. And he is very much appreciated!
bearfax
Guest
That must be why Manly cant seem to win. Cant follow DCE's attacking style.... hang on a bit.
Pomski
Guest
I agree he would go better with Cronk than he would with Thurston but there is just something about DCE's attacking style thats too eratic and wouldnt fit Qld's way of playing.
Jimmmy
Guest
You are a smart one Rene. Munster is the answer to our problem and will be our 6 for a long time. The fact he was 18th man for game 2 gives me confidence that he will be picked.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Because you said DCE was great?
Jimmmy
Guest
Munster is more thqn ready for Origin EJ,. Of course you never really know until you try them but I am more confident with Munster than I have ever been with anyone else. DCE ,like that other wonderful Manly player Cliff Lyons is just not up to Origin. It is.no disgrace. Some just don't make it.
Farqueue
Guest
That was gold. The fruit and hyphen quote was great and the play him only in hostage situation or in his mind was even better. Whatever they are paying you its not enough.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think DCE would actually make a great replacement for JT. He is a running half which leaves Cronk to control the game. Its more a like for like replacement than getting Morgan in.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Yikes, Munster has been holding the fort in the absence of the Origin players...man Storm are going to be decimated if he goes to play as well. Agree though that the combo would be ready made. Munster is also a big time competitor, he is made for Origin and isn't overawed by the big stage and as tough as they come. I'm hoping Walters will overlook him but since he picked him as 18th man it looks like he will a big chance for Origin 3.
Albo
Guest
I'm with you Brendon. Munster would fit nicely into the Storm controlled QLD team. But I suspect some loyalty to the local Queenslander club player in Morgan will prevail. Top level Club combinations in the QLD side have dominated NSW for a decade. Hopefully for NSW sake, the QLD selectors continue to limit the Storm combinations by overlooking Munster & Kaufusi again.