Queensland captain Cameron Smith is warning his Maroons will get smashed by NSW if they dwell on the loss of match winners Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk in the opening State of Origin match.
The Maroons had played almost 40 Origin games with Thurston or Cronk or both in the line-up and they’ve been integral to their long-standing dominance over NSW.
After their representative retirements, Smith said he was confident the Maroons had the talent to move on quickly, starting with game one on June 6 at the MCG.
“Over the years, we’ve lost some quality rugby league players who have retired or left the Origin arena, and we’ve managed to keep our success going,” Smith said on Tuesday.
“I’d like to think we can do that again.
“Is it going to be different looking around the team room and not seeing Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk? Absolutely, because they have been mainstays for our squad for a long time but we need to move past that pretty quickly.
“If we sit there sulking about a couple of quality players not being in our side and wishing they were there, the Blues will smash us up.
“They’re not giving us any sympathy so we need to be well prepared.”
Coach Kevin Walters said he had some tough selection decisions ahead but had been impressed by the early form of St George Illawarra halfback Ben Hunt.
Ex-Bronco Hunt has been outstanding in leading the Dragons to an unbeaten start this season.
“I’ve been a big Ben Hunt fan for many years and we gave him his first opportunity last year off the bench,” Walters said.
“I would be comfortable with him playing in the halves.
“He’s showing at the moment he’s a quality player at the top end of things and it doesn’t surprise me what he’s doing at the Dragons.
“It’s good for him to be doing well so early at the Dragons, given there’s a lot of pressure on him, given the money he’s on.”
SameO
Guest
QLD have proven hard to beat no matter who they move on. Especially when the Blues have Sharon Woods leading the charge from the front. He’s a plodder and an embarrassment to all the hard running front rower who ever played for the Blues.
Rob
Guest
Queensland will improve without Cronk and Thurston now. DCE at 7, Munster 6, Morgan 4, Chambers 3, Gai Gai/ Holmes 2, Inglis 5. I'd swap Chambers with Inglis in the centres in attack and defend with Inglis on the wing. Ben Hunt is perfect cover on the bench.
bearfax
Guest
As usual no mention of DCE. The Queensland Mafia still rules.
Dirk Diggler
Roar Rookie
Gee that's drawing a very long bow Paul
Albo
Guest
Whilst the SOO is still a couple of months away, seems the Queenslanders have plenty more worries more than just Cronk & Thurston being unavailable. The form of many of their current SOO regulars is well down in the early rounds of the NRL competition. Boyd can't stretch out with his dicky hammy, Morgan & Inglis have yet to perform since returns from injury, and even Cam Smith's form has been down this year ( maybe its nearly time for him too ? ) . Chambers is suspended, Munster & Milford are battling for form, Gagai & Holmes have hardly set the world on fire so far ? Slater is buzzing around making plenty of errors. A few still seem to be travelling OK in Hunt, Hess, McQuire, Scott and Gillett, and some fringe chances Ash Taylor & DCE may need to be considered ? Time will tell if the old guard can muster up another series performance ?
Paul
Roar Guru
Strange comments coming from Smith so early in the season. Sounds like he and his boys are in panic mode and obviously have little faith in the guys who are set to replace Thurston and Cronk. Anything that helps NSW win is good, especially if it comes from a Queenslander.
Nat
Roar Guru
A bit early for Green bandwagon isn't it? He's playing well but Easts were terrible, just got over the Raiders plus Souths and Titans are not the best gauge. DCE probably had his best year yet last year but still Manly got done wk1 of the finals. Jimmy has had one good game last week but plenty of bad ones since SoO3 last year.
Nat
Roar Guru
Morgan does have a way to go but don't underestimate the loss of Linnett to his game, a void Bowen is not filling. ATM I'd have Munster off the bench while starting Hunt. That's a both long and short kicking game, controlling and running halves and Munster can cover from lock to FB. DCE/Hunt would be too much like the failed DCE/JT, both controlling halves IMO.
Roberto
Guest
Blake Green + James Maloney = QLD dominance over.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Based on form I'd pick Hunt and DCE in the halves. Morgan looks unfit and out of form and Munster is inconsistent, one of them to take the bench spot.
Don
Roar Rookie
GI plays. No question. Just having him there more often than not draws in the wing leaving a clear path for Boyd / Holmes. And very few get past him in defence. Where QLD need to be very aware in selections is to pick a half with a quality short kicking game if we accept Munster plays half. Repeat sets are critical and Hunt isn’t the best at that under pressure. Taylor is the best but I can’t see him being picked. But I’m guessing we’ll see Morgan and Munster in game 1.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Morgan fit and in form would be first picked, but he seems to be neither of those.
Leviathan
Roar Rookie
Morgan played Center. QLD should pick Morgan instead of GI and 6. Munster 7. Taylor
Maroon Blood
Guest
"Tough selection decisions"? Morgan and Munster in the halves, Hunt #14. Same as Game 3 last year which Qld won comfortably. Pretty easy I would have thought. Pick and stick policy seems to ring a bell.....