The Queenslanders based their selections during the dynasty on loyalty.
Sometimes the player may have not been in the greatest form for their club, but would still get picked and they’d pick up five gears for their state. Ninety-nine per cent of the selections were warranted, as they were mostly always big-game players.
Ushering in the new era, Kevin Walters seems to have his favourites and I am here to shut that down and say he must pick the best team possible, not his favourite team.
A lot of legends seem to be blinded as well while they have selected their predicted teams, and seem to name some very strange selections, most notably Joe Ofahengaue.
Big Joe has barely played this shortened season, and has come off the bench in every game he has been a part of. Loyalty is not deemed suitable in this situation, I would think.
Most of the 17 pick themselves, but I wanted to have a crack at picking the 17 I think can best challenge the ever progressive New South Welshmen.
The custodial position has never been in doubt. Kalyn Ponga is Queensland’s number one for as long as he wants it.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
On the wings, I would have his sharpest competitor for the fullback role, the returning Val Holmes, and his team-mate and well deserved debutant, Kyle Feldt. He loves the big moment and is a superb finisher.
On the right side, I would be picking the right-side specialist in centre, Dane Gagai. And unwillingly, I would still select Michael Morgan on the left position, as the Queenslanders really lack depth in the centre position.
The halves pick themselves: the incumbent Australian pairing of Cam Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans.
The strength of NSW is easily their depth in the forwards. Queensland don’t have the stars in their pack, but have very willing and unheralded forwards that will go toe to toe with their more popular counterparts.
In the front row, I am picking Josh Papalii and Jai Arrow to pair up in a form of footy they have never lost when they both start in the front row.
Hooking the pack, I would be selecting the most ready debutant you’ll ever have, three-time premiership-winning captain Jake Friend. He is primed for the big time and deserves his spot, after waiting his time behind Cameron Smith.
In the second row I would have the two Tongan back-rowers in David Fifita and Felise Kaufusi.
(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Locking my pack would be the ever reliable Josh McGuire.
The bench is where I have always had issues with the predicted teams.
The utility role will have hot competition, but I would still roll with Ben Hunt, who played superbly at hooker last year. He deserves a spot for the time being over boom rookie Harry Grant.
Here is where I am completely baffled. How has no one taken notice of the Titans’ best player so far this season, and arguably the best prop this year, Moeaki Fotuaika? He has been superb all season, and is the Titans’ whole engine this season. He is definitely getting a bench spot in my Queensland side.
Next up I would select the guy who debuted in Game 3 last year, and had possibly the best debut in Origin history, Ethan Lowe. Tough, durable and another kicking option off the bench.
For my last bench spot, I am stuck between an Origin veteran and a debutant who deserves his spot. Melbourne Storm’s Christian Welch has been in the pipeline for years, but due to injuries, he has missed his opportunity. He is definitely a strong option – but the presence of a veteran coming off the bench, who was a part of the end of the dynasty, is very enticing.
Rugby convert comeback kid Ben Te’o would be an absolutely enticing option to bring off the bench, purely for his explosiveness and experience.
Players who I would legitimately consider that missed in a very tight tussle are Harry Grant, Coen Hess, Tim Glasby, Jaydn Su’A and Tino Faasuamaleaui. They are all very worthy competition.
Players I would not be considering are Joe Ofahengaue, Moses Mbye, Edrick Lee, Jarrod Wallace and Gavin Cooper.
The team:
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Valentine Holmes
3. Dane Gagai
4. Michael Morgan
5. Kyle Feldt
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
8. Josh Papalii
9. Jake Friend
10. Jai Arrow
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. David Fifita
13. Josh McGuire
14. Ben Hunt
15. Moeaki Fotuaika
16. Ethan Lowe
17. Ben Te’o (just…)
I strongly believe this team can definitely compete with the New South Welshmen, with a mix of excitement, toughness, experience and skill.
Kevvy, make the right call!
Go Queensland!
Zenn
Roar Rookie
Meninga Mark 2...those were the days...big Mal, Choppy Close and Gene Miles
Panana split
Roar Rookie
What a great recruitment tool SOO is for the kangaroos. I'd imagine kalyn would be wearing a Kiwis jersey if it wasnt for origin. How ridiculous is it that Moeaki Fotuaika could potentially play for NZ (his place of birth) Tonga (His heritage) or Australia (The biggest pay cheque) the next time internationals are played.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Hi Willie, Moeaki Fotuaika may be committed to Tonga and Tino Faasuamaleaui to Samoa. If the QRL can do some fancy footwork then they both would make my 17. The major problem for the Maroons is the bulk of their team (not the spine) come from the 3 Qland teams who at this stage will not play Finals footy which means no game time for a month - a massive advantage to the Blues. btw, I would swap Arrow and McGuire.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Yeah it’s a good team but I think they will struggle to come together, that will result in them getting rolled. Based on what they did last year whilst everything was going against them, they should maintain much of that side from game 3. Ponga should go to the halves and Munster to the back, then build the rest of the team around that and hope they do well
Travis Simon
Roar Rookie
1. Munster 2. Felt 3. Gagai 4. Ponga 5. Oats 6. Morgan 7. Dce 8. Mcguire 9. Friend 10. Papali 11. Lowe 12. Kaufusi 13. Arrow 14. Hrosbrough 15. Hunt 16. Collins 17. Welch
Travis Simon
Roar Rookie
1.Ponga 2.Felt 3.Gagai 4.Morgan 5.Oats 6.Munster 7.Dce 8.Papali 9.Friend 10.Mcguire 11.Lowe 12.Kaufusi 13.Arrow 14.Hunt 15.Collins 16.Horsbrough 17. Welch
Travis Simon
Roar Rookie
1. Munster 2. Felt 3. Morgan 4. Oniel 5. Gagai 6. Norman 7. Dce 8. Horbsough 9. Friend 10. Collins 11. Lowe 12. Fiffita 13. Arrow 14. Hunt 15. Welch 16. Molo 17. Hess
Travis Simon
Roar Rookie
1. Ponga 2. Felt 3. Gagai 4. Morgan 5. Oats 6. Munster 7. Dce 8. Mcguire 9. Friend 10. Papali 11. Lowe 12. Kaufusi 13. Arrow 14. Fiffita 15. Hunt 16. Welch 17. Horsbrough
Admiral Ackbar
Guest
Harry Grant has to play. And if he's fit I'd be looking at Edrick Lee.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
You mean David Fifita the Bronco forward? Interesting choice for centre, but I suppose the positions don't mean much anymore.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
No Val from a Cowboy..
Rob
Guest
Coats is bigger stronger and faster (clocked a time on par with JAC) than Feldt already. He's an aerial threat and at 20yd is averaging 160m and is the best winger in the comp on average per carry? 5 tries in 7 games. Fafita and Morgan are Queensland's centre solution for mine. Fafita is very quick and will definitely attract more than 1 defender which gives a player with footwork and a pass like Ponga a huge advantage to have at his disposal. Get Ponga, Munster Fafita 1 on 1 and they will hurt any defensive line especially with a good finisher on the edge. Lowe and Kaufusi are good reliable edge defenders.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The carnival out wide is over for the moment. Won't be too long before someone emerges.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yeah, I don't get the comments here, there are no centres, few decent middle forwards or even edge forwards. We have some decent backline options elsewhere and plenty of depth at hooker, even if most of it is raw talent. We are in a dip in options for the QLD selectors. I would love to see the Broncs focus on getting more QLDers back to the capital.
matth
Roar Guru
He will have to work miracles because there’s not a lot else to choose from.
matth
Roar Guru
Proble is we are seriously short in that area.
Rob
Guest
Origin is along way off. My team if everyone is fit and playing w well. 1)Ponga 2)Gagai 3)Fafita (Attacks and defends on an edge will add some serious strike, Meninga MK 2) 4)Morgan (ball player and smart right kick option) 5)Coats ( Big quick scoring try a game averaging 160m and has stepped up on every occasion. By the end of this season will be good enough) 6)Munster (left foot kicker and ball running playmaker) 7) DCE ( Good Kicking game and manager) 8)Papalii 9)Grant (younger stronger version of Smith well ahead of Friend in every department) 10)Carrigan ( low errors, strong carries and defence) 11)Kaufusi 12)Lowe ( probably QLD best in only game) 13) Arrow 14)Hunt ( his best position) 15)Horseburgh ( made for Origin ) 16)Collins ( athletic, good defender and runs hard) 17)Molo( Enjoys the contact, runs hard with brings energy of the bench)
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
The so called super coach Bennett has made it quite clear Gagai will never make it as a centre. Light weight forward in the front row Arrow is a flop idea also, maybe off the bench in the back row for 20 mins. Ethan Lowe jad a pretty hood season last year but has beem constantly ordinary this year. NSW wins this series 3-0
Greg
Roar Rookie
Queensland have always had depth problems. This is being exposed the most now in the centres, second-row forwards and middle forwards. They have plenty of depth in terms of play-makers, but little else. So, for my money, Fifita has to play centre. If he can sort the defence requirements of doing so, which should be no problem for a second-rower, he will worry NSW. Whereas, if you put Morgan, Mbye or Gagai at centre, NSW will target them. If Fifita plays centre, then Queensland are even lighter on second-row forward options. To plug that gap, I would put in Keegan Hipgrave. He is as solid as a rock and reminds me of someone like Trevor Gillmeister, albeit with a bigger rig. Hipgrave will let no one down. Wallace, Ofahengaue, Glasby and Hess have been tried and were mediocre at best. I wouldn't pick them again, unless they are playing the house down for their club. For the middle forwards I would go with Papalii, Arrow and McGuire, with Welch and Horsburgh coming on from the bench. Faasuamaleaui would relieve Kaufusi or Hipgrave in the second-row. Morgan would be the floating option at 14. The other positions pick themselves, except for wing, where a lack of form from Oates, Holmes and Feldt is concerning.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Some big problems with that team I’ve been a big fan of Feldt and can’t believe he hasn’t debuted for the maroons yet but he’s out of form Gagai doesn’t get picked at centre at NRL level these days That’s a pretty lightweight middle third. You’d need a very specific game plan for that middle to go toe to toe with the likes of Klemmer, Vaughan, Haas, Saifiti, RCG or Paulo Te’o was a great player, haven’t seen anywhere near enough since his return