With Origin done and dusted for another year and a World Cup coming up in a few months, I think it’s time to turn our representative attention to the make up of the Australian side that will be looking to go back to back.
With Thurston suddenly unavailable and the emergence of young rep players coming through, it might be a lot different to how it would look six weeks ago. While there’s a lot of football left to play this season, this is how I’d pick the side if I had to pick it tomorrow.
After all, Origin is supposed to be a selection trial for the Australian team, isn’t it? If only.
1. Billy Slater
After two outstanding games for the Maroons, he’s earned his spot back, no question.
2. Valentine Holmes
He’s the incumbent, he’s now an Origin player and had a blinder. He keeps his spot.
3. Darius Boyd
He needs to slot in somewhere. Josh “and the play ends with” Dugan has been lucky to hold a centre spot for a while now and after a lacklustre origin series, particularly in defence, it’s time to move him on to make room for Boyd.
Boyd has spent quite a bit of time on the wing, and with Slater back it would seem natural to move him back there, but I feel that position has been earned by somebody else.
4. Will Chambers
Again, he’s the incumbent and still in great form. He stays.
5. Dane Gagai
First winger to win the Player Of The Series medal, it’s time for him to get a green and gold jersey and moving Boyd into the centres opens up a spot.
(AAP Image/Dan Peled)
6. Cameron Munster
Here’s the big one. Who replaces Thurston in the six jersey? Before Wednesday, James Maloney would have been the obvious choice. He’s filled in there during last year’s Four Nations and was on the verge of finally winning an Origin series.
But when he was required to step up, he didn’t own it. He was on the biggest stage and blew it and one has to wonder if the same thing will happen in a (probable) World Cup Final against (probably) New Zealand.
Also, the guy’s a turnstile. Usually, that gets papered over when he’s setting up tries left and right, but it can’t be overlooked any longer. Plugging the Melbourne spine into a team seemed to work, and with so many Queenslanders around him, Munster can only build on his performance from Wednesday night.
He’s obviously the future in the six for Queensland and likely Australia, but I think the future is going to come a little bit earlier than expected.
Had Morgan played at 5/8 and had even half the game that Munster had, I’m sure he’d be picked ahead of Maloney as well. There’s still a place for Maloney in the extended World Cup Squad, but he hasn’t climbed the playmaking pecking order like he should have.
7. Cooper Cronk
He’s the Australian halfback so he obviously stays.
8. Dylan Napa
Had a quiet start to his rep career in Origin 1, but really led from the front in Game 2 and 3. after filling in for Matt Scott at Origin level, it’s now time to do the same for the Kangaroos.
9. Cameron Smith
Obviously I don’t need to write anything here to justify the selection, I just didn’t want to break up the format.
(Simon Cooper/PA via AP)
10. David Klemmer
He’s the incumbent and was New South Wales’ best forward on Wednesday night and most Wednesday nights. They had the momentum in the second half and it all went away when he went off the field, I don’t think it’s a coincidence. He keeps his spot.
11. Boyd Cordner
Had a bad night on Wednesday, but that might more have to do with being under an injury cloud and his first two games were great. He’s also an established Australian back rower and potentially the next captain (though I sure hope not) so he also keeps his spot.
12. Matt Gillett
One of the best second rowers in the game and is in no danger of being left out, not after his defensive efforts this series.
13. Jake Trbojevic
Already an Australian player and was up there with the best of the Blues this series, time to move him into the starting 13.
14. Michael Morgan
A contender for the 6 jersey, played well at centre, could probably start somewhere in the 13 for Australia but his utility value is off the charts so the 14 jersey is still his.
15. Josh McGuire
One of Queensland’s best this series, turned it around for the Maroons with a run that led to a Gagai try which ended up winning them the series, basically. Jakey T. might have the edge when it comes to starting, but he’s surely played himself back into an Australian jumper.
16. Tyson Frizell
One of the Blues’ better players, he didn’t set the Origin series on fire but hasn’t done anything to lose his Kangaroos bench spot.
17. Andrew Fifita
He started in the Anzac Test, but I think impact off the bench is where Fifita can best serve the team, especially after being outplayed by Napa in the last two games.
Now, this isn’t the first time ten of the starting 13, including the entire backline, were filled by Queensland players. The same thing happened back in 2009, so it’s not unprecedented.
You can accuse me of being a one-eyed Queenslander, but if that was the case, there’d probably be a maroon tint to my 1-17. James Tedesco, and maybe Jack Bird and Josh Jackson have earned a place in the extended squad along with Maloney, and Ferguson will probably get a spot somewhere based on his past experiences and a not-terrible Origin campaign, but I don’t think any of them have done enough to secure a spot in the first choice 17.
As for Jarryd Hayne, let Fiji have him.
NSW definitely played well in the first game and a large chunk of the second and you’d be forgiven for thinking they were on track to force their way into the Kangaroos side, but with so many Queenslanders already entrenched, the return of Billy Slater and the emergence of Gagai and Munster, well, it’s hard to fit that many NSW fullbacks into one team…
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
What I like about Boyd in the centres is his passing game. It's why I think he's wasted on the wing now, who's he going to pass it to out there? He's not the kind of centre that will hit holes and break away often, but, like Morgan the other night, he'll draw in the opposing winger and then put his own into space or over the line. Honestly, out of himself, Dugan and Hayne, I think he's the one best suited to centre, partially because he can actually tackle...
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
I can see that, but if Morgan steps up and leads the Cowboys to September, I can see him being the man to come on, especially in this hypothetical team full of Queenslanders. It's why the utility back has lately been a half sitting on the bench and not a hooker or centre etc.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
I think it will depend on how the Blues go back and perform at club level since the side won't be picked for quite a while. Gagai sure is lucky to have a medal to show for his Origin campaign because he might otherwise be forgotten about running around with Newcastle.
thomas c
Guest
I doubt they'll go that queensland centric. Need to seem fair. But it's difficult to see who gets left out, given queenland having a healthy set of incumbents and some guys who just made excellent cases for themselves at the highest available level.
matth
Guest
I like the team, except for comments above on Bird over Boyd for team balance. I would also be content if Maloney got picked over Munster, with only a luke-warm preference for Munster. Why? - Jimmy is actually a very good player but just had a bad game or two - His running game outside a supreme organiser like Cronk is valuable - if Cronk was to go down with injury during a game, Maloney can step up and run the team, whereas I think Munster at this point needs to be a support player only. But honestly, happy either way.
matth
Guest
To be honest, even as a biased Queenslander I feel Boyd is surplus to requirements here. He is more of an organising player than an attacking threat at centre. I would do what the NSW selectors couldn't and put Jack Bird in there. He is a real threat and would benefit from running off Cronk and Slater. And I love Morgan on the bench, with Bird sometimes struggling to get into games from there. A totally left field option would be Jimmy the Jet, even just in the extended squad. You might want a more solid player when confronting England and NZ, but imagine what Slater and Jimmy at pace would do to the lesser sides.
matth
Guest
Tough one, it really needs to be someone with impact. Otherwise, I would say Josh Jackson, but he is effectively Matt Gillett in Blue. If Frizell is fit I am happy with him.
Jimmmy
Guest
Yeah , like you I can't warm to him but he is very, very good.
Jimmmy
Guest
No mate, perfectly logical. I had to try hard real hard to get Darius back into the Aussie team. Him at left centre and Morgs to the bench was all I could think of.
Long Black
Roar Rookie
Agreed, hate him as i have (it's lessening), Klemmer has not put a foot wrong. Runs harder than both Woods and Fifita from any point on the field. Seems like the sort of psychopath that loves to take the first hit-up from the kick off. Pumps the legs, doesn't stop and turn like Woods, doesn't crab like Fifita. Klemmer was most impressive Blue for me all series.
Jara W
Guest
Not sure what you mean. Not suggesting that Munster isn't capable. Just that I'd like to see him play out of his comfort zone before giving him the No.6 ------------------------------- If anyone could be more upset about JT’s injury than the man himself it would have to be Anthony Milford. His stocks dropped pretty steeply on Wednesday. ------------------------------- I sure hope billy goes round again! His emotion after game 2 was what made me think he'd retire. But he could well have simply been relieved to have made it back.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I was thinking about this last night, I couldn't think of a single Blue that I would swap into our backline. I assumed it was just my bias but looks like it isn't.
Nat
Roar Guru
I would suggest that is wishful thinking more than anything. No one controls a game better than Smith but McCollough is a 50 tackle, left foot kicker and Friend is right up there too. DCE may??? get a start next year but both Milford & Hunt have had a taste but their minutes this series is less important then the learning curve of being with Cronk, Smith and JT this year. I don't think Slater retires - too competitive. Inglis come back next year as does the current Aust FB, Boyd. Plus Matt Scott in the forwards. NSW should stop wishing for injuries and retirement because the next gen Qlders are quickly becoming as good as this one.
Jimmmy
Guest
Wow. Klemmer was the only NSW forward to do that ( go forward) in game three . He is one prop for Australia and along with Cordner and Turbo Tom is one of the only NSW certainties for Australia.
Jara W
Guest
Love your thinking. Minnows to get 1st pick. As long as England and New Zealand follow suit!
Jara W
Guest
Munster benefited from perfect conditions for his debut. He was able to play his natural game surrounded by his weekly team mates, in a side that were well on top for the majority of the contest. He handled any pressure with ease. And the rest took care of itself. You would expect the same formula would work for the world cup. And a deep run into the finals will only boost calls for an all Melbourne spine. Where this gets interesting is next year. No more Cronk, and perhaps no Slater. Then an injury to Smith or Chambers. Is he held to the same expectations? Have a feeling we will get a chance to find out ;)
J.C.
Roar Pro
Get rid of Klemmer and Fifta, those two are completely and utterly useless, Napa would be a better choice. Basically the Qld side could easily beat the world.
Nat
Roar Guru
I would have to agree with this team. Surely Ferguson just played his last rep game if a series debutante puts a 4 tries on him in close quarters. The Hayne-plane is helicopter now, standing still with his arm out pleading with the ref on every play that comes near him. Jackson was a rock. Expect the whole comp to do a Qld on Fifita now and nulify him out of confidence. I fear though, politics will come into Aust selection and Mal will opt for more NSW options because as always, NSW is about better players on paper than a better team.
Flea
Guest
Pretty good selection. Not sure about both Jake Turbo and McGuire on the same team. If I were Mal I'd put McGuire in there but as a lover of the game I'd like to see him front for Samoa. Mansour to Lebanon?
Joe
Roar Rookie
How things have changed over the course of the series. If you had picked the team after Game 1 would have looked very different. This team looks pretty good but as with the difference between Game 1 and 3 there are still a fair few weeks of NRL comp left to go with more twists and turns. If I were to pick the team today, with Cordner injured I'd have Luke Lewis in there....best 2nd rower along with Gillette but since they're planning for the future he probably wouldn't get a mention.