Kevin Walters will likely define his prospects as a future NRL coach based on how he handles the ‘backs to the wall’ dilemma his Maroon captain Cam Smith has put him in after retiring from rep footy this week.
Smith pointed out during his presser that it was a “weight off his shoulders” that he had played his last rep footy. Sitting next to the captain, however, his Maroon coach added that the weight had been transferred to him.
He was correct, but this also presents a wonderful opportunity to re-engineer a Maroon team for the future.
There is no shortage of extreme Queensland spine talent who have been jogging on the spot for years waiting for Thurston, Cronk and now Smith to retire.
Cam Munster has claimed Thurston’s prized number six jersey, and it seemed that Ben Hunt was pencilled in for Cooper Cronks number seven shirt. But with skipper Smith now gone, a re-think is in order.
Most pundits have Bronco workhorse Andrew McCullough as the new Maroon hooker despite his recent injury and his six missed tackles last week.
NSW selectors Greg Alexander, Danny Buderus and coach Brad Fittler would not lose any sleep if McCullough is Smith’s replacement.
I don’t believe the Maroons can defeat the Blues in this year’s Origin with McCullough as hooker. He is a similar type to the Blues 2017 hooker, Nathan Peats, who will make 50-plus tackles and not scare anyone with the ball in hand.
Cam Smith was part of a Maroon team that had 11 series wins based on an exciting attacking philosophy. To go ‘negative’ would be counterproductive.
They need to ensure that they can score 22 points and select a spine that will keep the Blues hierarchy up at night.
National coach Mal Meninga has suggested a traditional hooker be selected, but with respect to the great man – he should stay out of the debate.
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An Andrew McCullough-type would be fine as a Kangaroo against England or New Zealand, but the Maroons need a greater skillset from their number nine as the opposition is superior.
With McCullough clearly not a 100 per cent fit at the moment, and the Roosters tackling machine Jake Friend playing with the cracked sternum – an opportunity exists to enhance the Maroon spine with some brilliant alternatives.
Ben Hunt is the in-form NRL halfback, but also an accomplished hooker. If he was named as the Maroon hooker, the gate would open for the exciting young halfback Ash Taylor to debut.
Cam Smith’s high defence rate is easily copied by a McCullough or Friend, but the greatest void is his game management.
No player is better at executing last tackle options than the Titans’ Taylor. His try assist success rate off his sublime tactical short kicking is as good as we have seen in the modern era.
He should be part of Queensland’s future. Combined with Hunt, they would cause the Blues a nightmare.
Michael Morgan would remain on the bench and be able to step into the breach at any time to replace either Taylor or Hunt.
Daly Cherry-Evans would walk into the NSW team and is another brilliant alternative who could play seven, nine or 14.
Taylor and Cherry-Evans are also goal kickers, another affliction on coach Walter’s shoulders.
Kevie’s dilemmas:
New captain – Billy Slater
New hooker – Ben Hunt
New halfback – Ash Taylor
Easy!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
jOHN, I like the idea of Milf off bench
John
Guest
If they go all out attack then you would have to include Ponga somewhere.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Ok done. NAT, I've changed the settings. Looking forward to game 1, QLD vs NSW...
Emcie
Roar Guru
you trollin
Nat
Roar Guru
I don't doubt Wally had an opinion. He's one ch9 are always going to roll out come origin time and shutting down Johns for a decider would've been a talking point. My point to Scott is Qld don't pick teams based on what NSW may think, mostly because Qld don't have the depth but who they can choose from must form the best team possible. Caps Lock: I've read your comments, you can form a good argument on most topics, Caps Lock takes away from that. If we were face to face, would you yell Oh Really at me, then go on to discuss your point?
Nat
Roar Guru
I just can't see it but I guess we're 2 weeks from finding out. I won't argue over speculation.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Steve Your man Damien Cook will enjoy running around Macca. It is ok to be a fan of Macca and want him to be the SOO 9, but the current Penrith, Broncos and Australian coach all thought Ben Hunt was a class 9. I agree with them and more importantly, so will the Origin coach.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Ray Toni carroll did a good job on Cam Smith for Wayne Bennett when he won his last Gfinal
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Nat Macca wont be hooker mate. I 100% agree with Qld thinking. Please dont compare Macca with Smithy in any stat. Smithy is down in runs and run metres this year, but he was #1 last year in DH Runs (6.3) while Macca did 4.1. Hunt, Morgan and Milford will cover both 9 and 7 positions more than adequately.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
I remember watching it on the footy show. wally wanted someone on John's case, i can't quote the actual words but it went something along the line of 'someone needs to knock his head off his shoulders' . they had a hitman in carrol & he was given the job to unsettle Joey. Look I'm using a smartphone which has these settings on the text, I don't have control of the caps lock. why is that bothering you so badly ? I think I can change the settings though, i'll let you know..
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Joe, Agree Joe except that I think Slater has been in good form. he plays a 2nd type 5/8th role which means he does nor have to run as much but he is there is support and when he does run it counts. He remains one of the best for creating points. Ask the Fox.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Paul, He had Gavin Cooper next to him last year when he was BOG and he will be next to him again. Also playing left centre was Michael Morgan who will be his halfback this year and Val Holmes his winger, same as last year. His new partner will be Greg Inglis who like Cooper, I am sure will look after him.
steveng
Roar Rookie
It will be a certainty that Qld 9 will be Andrew McCullough, can't see them putting Hunt (whos not a hooker and a dummy half) in that position for SOO, when they have a brilliant No9 in McCullough.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I wasn't sold on Munster playing game 3 last year but now I think he's an Origin player. He's been one of the Storms best during Origin period without the big 3. This year he has been the best Storm player with both Smith and Slater not being in great form. I think he'll do fine.
Nat
Roar Guru
Did you read that in the Daily Tele? Did Wally have an opinion, probably, he has been a ch9 reporter for 20yrs. Was he a selector - No. Carrol played 1 game off the bench because Bowen went into FB for Slater. Brad Thorn started in place of an injured Webb. If they took Wally's opinion wouldn't they have started Carrol to " terrorise" Johns? Are we still doing the Caps Lock thing Ray?
Paul
Roar Guru
Scott, Munster is untried without guys he's played with in Melbourne ie Slater, Cronk and Smith. If he's pressured, he's no different than anyone else and could go MIA without most of these guys around him. We'll know one way or another in a few weeks.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
OH REALLY???!!! i remember vividly wally lewis weighing in on qld selection in 2005 to have tony carrol in the team to specifically terrorize Andrew johns. he was picked but had very little effect. NSW won the decider. and also in game 1 of that series they picked paul bowman to try and limit mark gasnier's involvement in the first game..
Nat
Roar Guru
Not sure Qld has ever picked a team based on what NSW would think. Macca is a 3rd option kicker with a 40/20 in him and has more run meters than Smith in less games this year. Macca, Hunt, Munster and Slater has plenty of attack in them plus they can switch it up or cover hooker if Macca went down. Who plays hooker if Hunt goes down?
RandyM
Guest
Even without JT, Smith and Cronk the Queenslanders spine is still superior to whatever NSW can come up with. Doesn't matter if NSW have Mitchell, Ado carr etc, does the NSW spine have the creativity to get the best out of them?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Nat, Mate it is all about balance and winning. Ask yourself this question: "Who would worry Fittler the most"? You saw what Peats did last year and McCullough would do the same, both tackling machines. McCullough would NOT worry the Blues with the ball, Hunt has Smith's game management and tactical kicking plus he is much faster. Get used to the idea, it will happen.