The State of Origin series is here and for the first time in what feels like forever, there appears to be just as much speculation about who will play for the Queensland Maroons as there is for their interstate rivals.
Here at The Roar, we want you to tell us who should be picked in Kevin Walters squad for Game 1.
Queensland have been rocked ahead of this year’s series by a string of retirements to the core of a team who have won 11 of the last 12 series.
Formerly considered the ‘big four,’ only Billy Slater remains from a group which used to consist of captain Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and possibly the greatest of all time, Johnathan Thurston.
While Slater is a shoe-in for fullback, there are concerns around the make-up of Queensland’s Origin team have concerns on how to fill the rest of the positions, especially up front with injuries and a lack of form proving to be thorns in the side for coach Walters.
In fact, besides Slater, there don’t appear to be many certainties. Greg Inglis and Darius Boyd are likely to play on one edge as an experienced duo, but with the exit of Smith comes another problem. There is no recognised goalkicker in the popular 17, with the potential for Valentine Holmes needing to be picked to fill the void.
Kalyn Ponga has also made his case clear for selection after a stunning start to 2018 at the Newcastle Knights, while an out of sorts Dane Gagai is likely to be picked after becoming the first winger to win player of the series last year.
The halves will be a completely new combination, with Ben Hunt of the ladder-leading St George Illawarra Dragons a favourite to partner either Cameron Munster or Anthony Milford, although there are a swathe of other options.
Rounding out the spine, the three main options touted to play hooker are Jake Friend, Andrew McCullough and Jake Granville, although Friend is battling a sternum injury and Granville is struggling in a side at the bottom of the ladder.
Matt Scott could make his return to Origin up front with the Maroons struggling for depth in the forwards, but his form hasn’t been brilliant. Other options up front include Jarrod Wallace, Dylan Napa and Tim Glasby, while Josh McGuire is likely to be picked at lock pending injury, with Josh Papalii the likely back-up, unless he is picked on the edge, in which case youngster Jai Arrow may get a look in.
Matt Gillett is another missing from the first game of the series after injuring his neck. He could be back before series’ end, but for now, the Maroons might be going back to the past with Aidan Guerra showing good form at the Knights. Coen Hess and Felise Kaufusi lead the charge for the other spots in the second row.
So, with all that said, who makes your team? Let us know using the form below, and don’t forget to tell everyone your team in the comments section.
And if you want to have your say on the NSW Blues team, you can do that as well right here.
State of Origin fixtures
Game 1: Wednesday, June 6 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Game 2: Sunday, June 24 at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Game 3: Wednesday, July 11 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Leroy
Guest
Milford and Hunt should not be in the side. Hunt with a injury and it will be interesting once again if the coach had made the right decision. Milford defence is ordinary and some aspects of his attacking game. Cherry Evans and Morgan are both kickers and have a lot more experience than the other two. It’s interesting when selecting players that selectors are all Bronco’s players. Yes l suppose the game is all about looking after your mates and not who is the best candidate for those positions. Be interesting to see what the selectors will do if the Maroons are rolled heavy.
Graham
Guest
1. Slater 2. Holmes 3 Inglis 4 Chambers 5 Gagai 6 Munster 7 Hunt 8 Wallace 9 Mccullough 10 Mcguire 11 Papali 12 Hess 13 Arrow 14 Morgan 15 Napa 16 Scott 17 Kaufusi
Pilferer
Guest
Slater and boyd both started their origin careers on the wing, its a formula that has proved successful in the past.
Matt
Guest
I think there’s not much between Granville and Friend. They both get away with a similar amount of forward passes out of dummy half.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
He has at least 4 star skills.
Thaiday’s Gut
Guest
Oates is the form winger of the comp for mine (or at least QLD) and somehow can’t get a look in. Wallace, McGuire, Arrow would be my middle. Scott hasn’t shown anything this year that he deserves to be picked. We saw what happens in Game 1 last year holding onto old forwards.
Thaiday’s Gut
Guest
Granville? You’re kidding
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Qld Backline 9.Granville 7.Taylor 6.Munster 1.Slater 3.Inglis 4.Chambers 2.Holmes 5.Gagai
Nat
Roar Guru
Ponga is a massive talent, highlighted in the current Knights team. Is he good enough to displace an all-Australian backline? The bet thing that can happen right now is to be involved with the team, be around GI, Slater and Co., meet the fans and see what it is/what is expected to be a Qld origin player.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Meninga is also one of the main voices suggesting he should wait until the fullback spot is available. I'm not saying in anyway that he is not good enough, just that with Slater in the team he's not needed. As good as Ponga can be he hasn't surpassed Slater yet and he'd be wasted (or even a downgrade) in any other position
Raugeee
Guest
Ponga is a real talent. Mal Meninga first played for Qld at 19! On his 20th birthday, 8/7/80, he played in the very first Origin. The old Qld adage was "If you're good enough, you're old enough" . Sure - Ponga has a great highlights reel bur he also has the stats to prove he contributes in every facet of the game. I normally wouldn't advise to hurry such a player in, but NSW will have a HUGE amount of pace, whoever they pick. QLD need to pick their supreme team from Game 1.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Who cares??? Don't pick GI, Gagai and Cook leave them out for these series lol
Emcie
Roar Guru
Common mate, we're not NSW, our origin teams aren't selected based on highlights packages. He's got plenty of years ahead of him and he'll get his time, for now he can serve an apprenticeship under Slater (and if Slaters out he's pretty much first pick). But he's very much a fullback, his footwork (which is what sets him apart) is useless on the wing and it's very hard to create an overlap when you're a meter from the sideline and there's no way you'd want his first foray at centre to be in the Origin arena, he'd get torn to shreds. He's good, but he hasn't shown enough yet to overthrow Slater
kk
Guest
Matt Scott is playing injured and Dane Gagai despite a glimpse of form over the past two rounds would be a big gamble to risk in Origin 1.
Raugeee
Guest
How can one possibly not play Kalyn Ponga? Who would a selector drop? Gagai - the Wally Lewis Medal winner 2017? Unthinkable. One solution may be to play both Ponga and Morgan on bench. Morgan is bullish enough to sub on as a forward. It's a real dilemma and I hope Geno & Kevvie et al don't leave it till Game2 :(