Injured five-eighth Johnathan Thurston has hesitated to back teammate Michael Morgan as the man to replace him at this year’s Rugby League World Cup.
Thurston says Morgan’s greater utility value could see him remain as a bench weapon for Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos, with James Maloney and Cameron Munster to battle it out for the No.6 jersey.
Morgan forced a rethink on the Test five-eighth spot with his terrific club form in the halves that saw the Cowboys surge from eighth all the way to the NRL grand final.
It lead to him being selected alongside Munster and Maloney, while Brisbane’s Ben Hunt was also rewarded for his utility value after strong late-season form at hooker when he began the year at halfback.
Morgan has stated his desire to start in the halves after getting a taste of the role in a Four Nations Test last year.
For Queensland in the last three Origin series Morgan has played backrow, in the halves and centres. He played a whole NRL season at fullback in 2014 when Lachlan Coote tore his anterior cruciate ligament at the Auckland Nines.
Thurston has no doubt the 25-year-old would fit right in as part of Australia’s starting spine, but questioned whether the team would be weakened if he wasn’t available to plug a gap off the bench.
“He’s been playing really good footy the last six to eight weeks and he’s in the front running for it,” said Thurston, who will miss the World Cup after shoulder surgery in July.
“But that would take away the utility role (Kangaroos coach) Mal (Meninga) likes to run with on the bench as well.
“He’s got really good value to the team in that role, but certainly if Mal gave him the number six jersey he’d do it justice.”
Australia and England will open the World Cup in Melbourne on October 27.
R N
Roar Rookie
I agree Rob.. as much as I loved seeing I’m take over the cows at the back end I kinda missed his running game. For aust would love to see him as centre with no pressure to ball play... just let the boy run!
Rob
Guest
Morgan's best position right now is left centre. Anyone who's suggesting he can cover a backrower or dummyhalf role off the bench is not watching him play. His ability to create something on the edges is probably up there with Inglis. He's miles ahead of Dugan with positional play and passing. He can defensively handle a wide running backrower or quick outside back. He doesn't have a high tackle rate and isn't adapt at the wrestle which is a big part of playing in the middle third. He's simply a wasted talent not to be playing 80min.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Morgan has to be at 6. He has surpassed both Maloney and Munster for the halves position. He has a better running , kicking and defensive game than either of them. Munster on the bench to cover as he can cover all the positions that Morgan can cover and is a better defender than Maloney. Maloney's weak defense and stupid penalties should see him third choice. Maloney has really dropped in form sharply this year as he would have been second only to JT at the start of the year.
Raugeee
Guest
Morgan was brilliant in the centres for QLD in Origin 3. I would love to see that combination of Morgan, Munster, and Chambers in the 5/8 - 3/4 line. They could float between the positions and wreak havoc on opposition. I think politics will play a part. Dugan will be in the backline, I feel he is a gritty rep player now. I reckon Maloney would thrive outside Cronk and also enjoy the less than Origin level defence that International footy serves up. Is there any way that the Kangaroos won't win the RLWC? England will have to be a real surprise package, under Bennett. NZ without Taumalolo and I don't think that Kidwell has the respect from the troops. Sadly.
Rod
Guest
I think Morgan is the best half we have. Cronk is still playing great footy and I have him at 7, Morgan at 6. Munster would be my utility can cover exactly the same position as Morgan . In second thought, I would be happy to have Munster as one of our centres so Dugan is not in the team. Dugan could be the waterboy
Albo
Guest
Probably got to agree with JT here. With Smith & Cronk running the show in the bigger games of the WC, Morgan won't be needed to run his "end of season" great halfback role. It would probably be a case of "too many cooks". And when the team is likely to be run on the successful Storm / QLD spine formula , why wouldn't you keep Munster at 6 ? If it was me , Morgan would be number 14 (or possibly a running 3 instead of Dugan ?)
Nat
Roar Guru
I can agree with this to a point. Morgan played well in the #7 this year but Cronk is the best halfback in the game. Until he is a JT, Cronk, Smith type dominant positional player, utility value keeps him in the rep team/s. He will be there in years to come but he has jumped around so much in recent years, he's not the very best in any single position right now.
Paul
Roar Guru
Hard to work Thurston out some times. Only a few weeks ago, he was saying Morgan was playing better footy than Cronk and was the best half in the game in Australia. Doesn't that mean he should be selected in the halves? Australia has a heap of players who can play any position, so give the guy a chance. He' obviously a future Test half, so why not start now?