Cameron Munster looks set to be named at centre for Queensland despite his club coach Craig Bellamy backing him for the five-eighth position.
With Johnathan Thurston out for the season, the Maroons need a new no.6 and for Bellamy the choice is simple.
“For next week I honestly believe his best position is at six. I think if we are just looking at whether Cameron is better in the centres or at five-eighth then I’d say five-eighth,” the super coach stated.
The problem Queensland coach Kevin Walters has if Munster is to play pivot he has severely limited options as to who plays centre, with Darius Boyd ruled out.
It would be highly unlikely he would recall Justin O’Neill who had a shocker in Game 1, although previously he has never let his state or country down.
The Sharks Ricky Leutele is an option, the Premiership-winning outside back has been very solid for Cronulla for a number of years now and has the toughness and solidity to play Origin.
Another player outside the box would be South Sydney’s Hymal Hunt. The former Melbourne centre has played under 20s for Queensland and represented the Junior Kangaroos so has been in the system, and like Leutele plays with a physicality suited to Origin.
In reality the Queensland selectors will be deciding between Munster or shifting Gagai, although Gagai’s defensive frailties are well known so exposing him at centre could backfire for the Maroons when he has been their best back on the wing.
That does just leave 22-year-old Munster to slot in a left centre ideally suited as a left footed kicking option also for the Maroons. He would be surrounded by Melbourne teammates and is strong defensively so for a debut player he could be Queensland’s best bet.
That would leave a showdown for the five-eighth position with Corey Norman looking to be the preferred option over Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Brisbane’s Ben Hunt.
The Cowboys’ Michael Morgan has been a game breaker coming off the interchange so as Bellamy also stated you would leave him there to perform the same anticipated heroics for the series decider.
“Obviously Michael Morgan is on the bench and I’m not trying to tell Queensland what they should be doing but Morgan has done a great job in that position.”
Still just 26 years old, Norman is injury free, very experienced with over 130 first grade games and playing much more mature these days taking on the chief play making role at the Eels.
The former Bronco would not be overawed by the occasion and like Anthony Milford in Game 1 has a touch of attacking unpredictability to his game that favours his selection.
Thor
Guest
Munster 6 - complete the Storm spine - Morgan center and DCE on the bench.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
What about Jeff Horn for JT ?
Rob
Guest
I believe a 3 man front row rotation is needed after being dominated up the middle in the first 2 games. Lawrence and Bolton would be worth considering for Glasby. After watching Raiders last night, Papalli looked slow and lethargic. Is he carrying an injury or is he carrying way to much weight? Morgan is a great runner of the ball but Munster has Gaiga mentality with the ball and in defence. Never gives up and fights like the junk yard dog. Maloney needs a bloke like that in his face.
Percycutor
Roar Pro
If not Morgan and with centre options bare, I thought Norman could easily 'fit in' to the Queensland side and he is ideally placed to take attacking opportunities when presented to him. He wouldn't have to overplay his hand with Smith, Cronk and Slater having the majority of plays revolving around them anyway. I don't think the more mature Norman would let the side down. I believe playing a non-specialist centre is a bigger call.
Cald
Guest
I like the way you think!
Cald
Guest
DCE is only 28, hardly a backwards move, that's often when people say half's are at their best.
Craig
Guest
Glasby was so poor I think he needs to be replaced. Brenton Lawrence is the man for me. Thaiday has his chance v the storm to step-up and he was awful.
Craig
Guest
Morgan, Munster and DCE are the most logical. Morgan is 100% in the side somewhere. Any combination of these seems okay for me, but Munster must be at centre for me. Morgan is a better 5/8 and also a better bench option than Munster. DCE is not a centre. Then the selectors need to decide whether DCE or Morgan start at 5/8. The only other option at the expense of one of Munster or DCE is Gagai to centre, Oates on to the wing. I actually like this option. For me, Oates in and Gagai to centres. DCE at 6 and Morgan on the bench. I think this is unfair on Morgan as I'd like to start him, but IMO he's a far better bench option than DCE.
Larry1950
Guest
Very difficult decision but can't believe any sensible footy watcher is seriously suggesting Ben Hunt is in the mix. Norman suffered by going to sleep on Thursday night when he could have taken charge and put the Bulldogs away. I'd go Munster at centre because you don't weaken one position (Gagai's wing) to strengthen another. DCE is a decent fit with Cronk at half, he just can't gel with the way JT plays and that's no problem here. Morgan has the size to cover any outside back spot so Qld can carry the smaller DCE on the bench, he also had a full season at fullback for the Cowboys early in his career. Can't see the sense in bringing back Thaiday, Wallace will be better for the experience. I'd start Glasby so the rotation between Napa and Papali left a worker on the field.
steveng
Roar Rookie
What about the Blues??? What team are they going to put on??? After game 2 and Dugan was injured and Friizell looks like he will be out. Surely there must be some changes made, as Qld are bringing in their young artillery and its not looking good for the Blues.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Jimmy the one point I'd make regarding DCE is that he's a halfback not a 5/8. If he's on the bench then it's only insurance for Cronk. Plus he's been out of the system for a few years now and with the retirements coming along next series in the halves it's the perfect time to focus on the future. DCE is a move backwards even if he is in scintilating form, whereas with Munster you've got the Storm combo with Cronk already established meaning the side isn't too disrupted by JT's omission. On Holmes in the centres and Oates at wing - frankly I dunno. My gut says that replacing a replacement centre again isn't too big an ask, because that's essentially what's happening with Boyd. So the question really should be can Holmes adapt to centre. I think he can. Don't forget Queensland only need to replace two positions with their current squad of availables, there's no need to make massive changes from a succesful side to get a win at home in a decider.
Percycutor
Roar Pro
Can't argue with your logic.
Percycutor
Roar Pro
Very sensible and solid option.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Listening to Kevvie last night I reckon Morgan was already locked into playing 6. And his performance just cemented that. Munster at centre. DCE on the bench.
Jimmmy
Guest
North sorry but I have to disagree. I thought Holmes was only fair in O2. He doesn't look like a centre to me. Oates is still my preference on the left wing. DCE on the bench for mine. Morgs on the right With Cronk and Gaigai , Munster on the left with Chambers and Holmes / Oates. Simples.!
Jimmmy
Guest
You know Rob I am beginning to agree with you. Morgs on the right with Munster left half is probably the way to go . This allows a lot of versatility with Morgs and Munster both being able to take some pressure off Cronk. Plus it is imperative we leave Gaigai on that right wing , he has been sensational there and I would not upset things by moving him.
Joe
Roar Rookie
As with other here I think DCE, Munster and Morgan will all be picked and the only decision is where they'll play. I probably will go with Calds idea and have Morgan at 6, partners with his teammate Cooper from the Cowboys. Munster in the centers and DCE on the bench. Munster and Morgan can cover all the backline positions except for halfback so DCE is there to cover for Cronk. When JT was playing he was the one who could cover 7 but he is not there now. Munster out of the 3 has the biggest number of tackle breaks and would be the best to bring the ball back for meters as centers should. Munster also spent the 2015 preseason training in the left center position for the Storm as he was going to play there in 2016 but injury to Slater in the first game moved him to fullback.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I said on a different thread yesterday that maybe a good move would be to move Holmes into centre, Munster as 5/8 and Oates back onto the wing, leaving Morgan on the bench. If they went that route it cuts out a lot of disruption to the team. My only query is if Holmes can actually handle the extra workload.
Adsa
Guest
Agree with you on the win last night KC, we were rapped that they can win without JT. I watched the Parra game the other night to see Corey Norman debut for a Maroon jersey and I was very disappointed by his game. It would be a mistake to pick him after being injured for a few rounds, similar to picking O'Neil for game 1 when he was returning from injury. Munster DCE and Morgan look the goods at the moment and are all playing winning footy.
Rob
Guest
I think QLD should pick Munster, Morgan and DCE. Where they play in the 17 is the only question. Personally I'd love to see Morgan at right centre and Munster 5/8. DCE gives great cover off the bench. Gagai should stay on the wing given how well he is preforming in that position. It's exciting times for QLD. The old boys have been great for a long time but the young blokes are putting their hands up.