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It’s never too early to talk Origin, and this year’s selection debate has a unique twist to it in that the Queenslanders have found themselves in the rather unfamiliar situation of not knowing who their halves will be come June 6 at the MCG.
It’s always tough to replace all-time greats, but replacing two of the greatest at the same time is an unbelievable task.
However, when one door closes another opens. It’s now time for the new guard to take charge. Here are some of the top candidates to take over from Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
Michael Morgan
Morgan is the most obvious choice of the lot. He is a big-game player and was instrumental in the Cowboys’ 2015 premiership victory, coming up with a last-minute play to set up winger Kyle Feldt for the try that sent the game to extra time.
However, while there is no bigger achievement than winning a premiership in rugby league, I would say that what he did last year – moving to the unfamiliar position of halfback and guiding his team to the grand final in the absence of Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott – is arguably more impressive.
Bottom line, he is a tremendous player. He’s already played eight Origins and 12 Tests for the Kangaroos. He’ll be there in some capacity, either at 6 or at 7. Which one it is depends on who else is picked.
The old and the new for Queensland. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Cameron Munster
Like Morgan, Cameron Munster will be there in some capacity. He’s the incumbent five-eighth and played a pivotal role in Queensland’s series-clinching victory in Game 3 last year.
Which position he plays will likely depend on the fitness and subsequent availability of Storm teammate Billy Slater. Given the recent injury troubles of both Darius Boyd and Greg Inglis, if Slater is out, Munster is the likely fullback.
However, if Slater is fit, Munster is probably the favourite to play at 6 while Morgan will play at 7. Both Munster’s big-game experience and club combination with skipper Cameron Smith will count in his favour.
One thing that may count against his selection in the starting side is his versatility – able to play anywhere in the backline, Munster is perfect for the bench utility role.
The question of who starts on the field and who starts on the bench will likely come down to form.
Ben Hunt
Having made his Origin debut off the bench in Game 3 last year, and given the fact that he was just in the Australian World Cup squad, it would seem that Ben Hunt is high in the pecking order.
While he hasn’t yet had the club success that the likes of Morgan and Munster have, if he can continue his great start to the season with new club St George Illawarra, he could easily play his way into the No.7 jumper.
What’s more likely however, is him snaring the bench utility role.
He’s not just one of these halves who can play hooker if necessary – he’s actually a very good hooker in his own right, having spent the first half of his first-grade career playing that position off the bench for the Broncos. More recently, he was Brisbane’s No.9 for the back end of last year in their finals tilt due to Andrew McCullough’s ACL injury.
What’s more, as an elite half, he brings a very good kicking-game to the table. This makes him an attractive bench utility option because Cameron Smith does a lot of kicking from dummy-half.
While Smith usually plays 80 minutes, if the unthinkable were to happen and he goes down injured, I couldn’t think of anyone better to replace him than Hunt.
Anthony Milford
Anthony Milford made his Origin debut in Game 1 last year – a game Queensland lost with Milford far from his best. Given his recent club woes, an Origin recall is probably the furthest thing from his mind.
However, the saying ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’ applies to Milford. He is a classy player – write him off at your own peril.
If Milford’s in form, he’s difficult to leave out of the side and I can’t see him playing off the bench.
If tasked with defending in the middle third of the field, he would be a liability, so he will either start or not be there at all.
AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Daly Cherry-Evans
Seemingly the forgotten man, it can’t be his club form that has kept Daly Cherry-Evans out of the state side for the last few years. After a promising start to his Origin career, coming off the bench in several games, his stocks took a hit after he played in the losing series of 2014.
He was given another shot in Game 2 2015, after another injury to Cronk, but Queensland lost that game as well. DCE hasn’t been seen in Origin since, with rumours surfacing of a rift between him and some senior players.
However, Cherry-Evans has been brilliant for Manly for many years and is capable of making the step up. But he’s the sort of player that, if you pick him, you need to give him complete control of the team. As such, his selection may be unlikely while Cameron Smith is still around.
There would have to be a major injury crisis for him to get selected this year.
Corey Norman
Norman is tremendously skillful and, as a New South Welshman, the thought of him in the Maroons team scares the bejesus out of me.
What may count against him is his lack of big-match experience. Having played the last four seasons with Parramatta, he hasn’t played much finals football, while his only representative experience is one game played for the PM’s 13 last year.
However, he was one of Parramatta’s best last year, and he scored an impressive solo try against the Panthers on the weekend. If he continues this form and if the other halves fail to fire early in the series, I can see him getting the nod for Games 2 or 3.
For you Queenslanders out there, who would you like to see take over from Thurston and Cronk? And for those of you who bleed Blue, which halves combination gives you nightmares?
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