Cameron Munster will make his State of Origin debut for the Queensland Maroons wearing the number six jersey, after coach Kevin Walters finalised his lineup for the series decider next Wednesday.
Munster’s selection at five-eighth will see the Maroons go into the decider with an all-Melbourne spine, with club teammates Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith starting at fullback, halfback and hooker respectively.
It was a move Smith had called for last Saturday, when he said the familiarity between the Storm players would help the Maroons cope with the absence of injured playmaker Johnathan Thurston.
“With JT not being there now and being such a big game there’s no doubt having Cameron there inside Cooper, Billy and myself would help,” The Queensland skipper said.
“On his performance and ability Cameron is more than up to playing Origin there is no doubt about it.”
Munster’s selection in the halves in place of Thurston means the versatile Michael Morgan will take Darius Boyd’s position in the centres. Queensland’s other debutant, Ben Hunt, will come off the bench as the side’s utility player.
Morgan is yet to play an NRL match at centre in his 116-game career, but spent time out in the flanks during Origin 2, setting up Dane Gagai’s match-winning try with a crafty offload that sent the flying winger past Blues centre Jarryd Hayne.
Morgan will, however, line up on the other side of the field in Game 3, putting him opposite Hayne’s centres partner, Josh Dugan
The Maroons also revealed their extra squad players ahead of the must-win clash at Suncorp Stadium on July 12; Felise Kaufusi of the Melbourne Storm has been named as the side’s 18th man, while Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough and Titans half Ash Taylor will also join the Queensland training camp.
Queensland Maroons team for Origin 3
Billy Slater, Valentine Holmes, Will Chambers, Michael Morgan, Dane Gagai, Cameron Munster, Cooper Cronk, Dylan Napa, Cameron Smith (capt), Jarrod Wallace, Gavin Cooper, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii, Coen Hess, Tim Glasby. 18th man: Felise Kaufusi.
casper
Guest
mmm ... well maybe it was just this story earlier in the week that triggered that? http://www.nrl.com/pearce-wants-to-become-the-hunter/tabid/10874/newsid/109654/default.aspx well if NSW win ... that is still comedy gold considering ..
casper
Guest
Is this the blues at the moment? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzdxeBTm6gk Follow NRL.com over the last week, it is amazing how they can be so in tune with the NSW agenda lol 12 years and you would hardly get a boo out of NRL.com in terms of QLD SOO player profile build up?? am I being cynical our are they trying to amends ... well you would think it would be 50/50 if that was the case... chortle chortle
Rob
Guest
I think Munster and Morgan will both pop up inside each other as a ball player or kick option. Munster on the left and Morgan on the right. I would imagine Slater will also have a licence to play a roving 6 role role in attack more. It's exciting to see the young blokes having an opportunity in a decider. Queensland have 9 debutantes in this series which is great to see.
Griffo
Guest
At least their logic is consistent re not picking cherry-evans and not playing Morgan at 5/8. Both are in better form than the alternatives but selections seem to be made for best fit for the team.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's an amazing achievement Joe to have the 1, 6, 7 and 9 from your club in a rep side plus Chambers, Glasby and Kaufusi as 18th man. I think McLean was in the NSW 20 for game one as well.
kk
Roar Pro
Albo and Joe , He is free to play with the Storm and then goes straight into Origin camp.
John
Guest
Not wrong there Joe, an origin decider could give us a good glimpse of how much they can lift come finals time.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Well hope the Storm boys go well. Can only help the club having the spine play in a top quality game like Origin. As with all Origins, just hoping they come through unscathed.
casper
Guest
Preferences in order 1: 6. Daley Cherry Evens 4. Morgan 14. Munster 2. 6.Morgan 4.Munster 5.Hunt last pick 6.Munster 4.Morgan 5.Hunt I think Morgan might be a better center than Munster, play QCup for the Mackay Cutters at center so hence their selection. I also think he is a better 5/8 so hence my selection. NRL.com in their news release make it out that Morgan has no experience at all at center. I say to NRL.com, your either as useful as tits on a bull or being insidious to QLD ... you choose. Chambers would be a better defender on twinkle toes.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I really hope he plays for the Storm, they're decimated enough as it is!
Kreig
Guest
Let's make Origin in a World Cup year especially interesting; the winning team becomes the Kangaroo team! Or, to add even more interest to the World Cup and showcase to fringe nations THE best of rugby league, why not have an Australian A and an Australian B team; the winning Origin state is Kangaroos A, the losing state Kangaroos B. Think of the excitement and revenue generated by this prospect!
Cald
Guest
Not entirely sold on this, I would have thought Munster would be more suited to the centres. I think we might see Munster/hunt going to dummy half on last to give options of cronk or Smith for kicks. They are the two best kickers Qld have if they fire
Kreig
Guest
Good choices all round.
Albo
Guest
Spot on Max ! NSW should be most thankfull that Kaufusi is not in the QLD run on side, especially with him fitting in so neatly into the Storm set up that is the QLD team. Gillett & Hess have rightly earned the right hand edge spots for QLD, but Kaufusi has the skills of both these two with the added value of spine familiarity & existing combinations. I too hope he is free to play for the Storm as he is in my SC team.
kk
Roar Pro
Can Kaufusi play for the Storm on Saturday night? If not, the Eels are a chance. Kaufusi is a weapon designed to create havoc. I'd love to see him in the 17.
Roberto
Guest
In Game 1, we witnessed the most inept kicking from Cronk and Smith in that second half. I'm afraid the Blues chasers will be making a bee-line for Cronk every 5th tackle, Munster must provide respite every other set to make it less predictable. The opening 30mns is crucial for the Storm 5/8 in this regard, it could be all over if Blues gain ascendency though this key aspect of play.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Hi Daniel, Why are you so certain to say: "Morgan will, however, line up on the other side of the field in Game 3, putting him opposite Hayne’s centres partner, Josh Dugan"? Will Chambers was in the top 3 players in G1 playing left centre, and played on that side last week against the Broncos for his club with Cam Munster next to him at 6.