Is it too early to start talking about Origin? Part 2: Queensland

In my last article I chose my NSW Origin team, and I am now doing the same for Queensland.

It’s noticeable that the NSW talent pool is much bigger than the players Paul Green and company have at their disposal.

In the case of NSW, it was a matter of who do you leave out, as players like Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cody Walker and Stephen Crichton were overlooked.

In the case of Queensland, it’s more a matter of who’s available to play for the Maroons. They have a good core of players they can build a team around, but don’t have much depth in the event of injuries.

It just underlines what a great job Wayne Bennett did to get the ‘worst Queensland team ever’ across the line last year. I wonder if Paul Green can work the same magic this year.

The Queensland pack will be more than a match for NSW, and the spine is an eight out of ten, but the outside backs will once again be a concern. What they can’t afford leading up to Game 1 are injuries to key players.

Anyway, here is the Queensland team that I would pick, rather than the team that they will pick.

1. Kalyn Ponga
He is one of Queensland’s best attacking weapons who is dangerous from anywhere on the park. Ponga was missed by the Maroons last year and will be looking to expose any lazy defenders lurking around the ruck.

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

2. Corey Thompson
There’s not many wingers in better form this year than Thompson, and he gets a call-up not just on his performances in 2021, but the consistently strong performances over his whole career. He has six tries from seven games this year and is averaging over 200 running metres per game. Thompson is one of the most determined and reliable players around.

3. Tom Opacic
Opacic appears to have finally found a home at the Eels and some good form to go with it. A specialist centre, Opacic is a good defender, has excellent positional sense, and knows how to set up his winger.

4. Dane Gagai
Not much needs to be said about Gagai when it comes to wearing a Queensland Origin jumper. He is almost the first player picked on reputation alone, and has some good form with the Rabbitohs this year to boot. He is a tough and experienced competitor, with 16 Origin games and 11 Origin tries under his belt.

5. Xavier Coates
To describe Coates as a freak is an understatement. Aged just 20, 195 centimetres tall and tipping the scales at 108 kilograms, he’s one of the fastest players in the game and blessed with great aerial skills. With two tries from as many starts last year, this could be the series that lights it up for him.

6. Cameron Munster
So much of Queensland’s chance of success this year hangs off Munster. Now the best five-eighth in the game, Munster can both terrorise and mesmerise the defence, and he’s never beaten. Still just 26 and entering his fifth Origin campaign, Munster is the key for Queensland and the man NSW has to stop at all costs.

(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

7. Daly Cherry-Evans
Cherry-Evans has progressed from Origin bench player in 2013 to Queensland captain, and he always reserves his best for the Maroon jumper. While not in the best club form this year, all that will be forgotten when the whistle blows and the maroon muscle memory kicks in.

8. Josh Papalii
Still just about the best front-rower in the game, Papalii has notched up 18 Origins for Queensland since his debut as a 21-year-old in 2013. Papalii can turn a game with either the ball in hand or a big tackle in defence, and the longer minutes he can play, the better for Queensland.

9. Harry Grant
At just 23, and with probably only 25 first-grade games to his name by the time Origin comes around, Grant is now almost an automatic selection for the Queensland team. He’ll need to bring his A game if the Maroons are to win the series, and does anybody doubt that he can do it? Has there ever been a more rapid rise in Origin history?

10. Christian Welch
Born in Sydney but now a proud Queenslander, Christian Welch is just made for Origin. He is a powerful runner with a quick play the ball, and he is a hard-hitting defender. Welch can play big minutes and his relentless style of play will give the Queensland team the go-forward that they need.

11. David Fifita
David Fifita is an absolute weapon in attack and to illustrate, has nine tries in just seven games this year, including two hat tricks. On his day he’s virtually unstoppable, although he does have a tendency to switch off at times. The NSW right-edge defence had better come prepared if they are any hope of shutting Fifita down.

(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

12. Kurt Capewell
Capewell was a bit of a late bloomer but he is playing well now. After filling in so capably in the centres for Queensland last year he will appreciate running out as part of the strong Queensland back row. Capewell is a very tough and skilful forward, has good footwork and pace, and knows when to pass.

13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Aged just 21, Fa’asuamaleaui will be close to the biggest player on the paddock when he runs out for Game 1. Debuting for Queensland as a 20-year-old last year, Fa’asuamaleaui didn’t hold back and announced himself as the new gun slinger in town. He can be devastating in both attack and defence and he will only be better for the run last year.

14. Ben Hunt
Ben Hunt has been Mr Reliable on the bench for the Maroons for the last four years and this year it looks like he might actually take the field with some good recent form and newfound confidence for a change.

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

15. Lindsay Collins
The Roosters’ monster made his Origin debut last year and didn’t disappoint, playing strongly throughout the series. Tough and rawboned, he has the ability to maintain the rage when the starting forwards head off for a rest.

16. Jai Arrow
Somewhat surprisingly, this will be the 25-year-old’s fifth Origin campaign, and regardless of his club form, he never lets his state down. Fortunately for the Maroons, this year finds him in some of the best form of his career, and he will give them the impact they’ll need off the bench.

17. Josh Kerr
Another giant around the same size as big Fa’asuamaleaui, Kerr has been in career-best form for the Dragons this year after shifting to the right edge and now playing big minutes. He can cover both the middle and the edge, is a very dangerous runner close to the line, and has an offload.

It is certainly not Queensland’s worst ever team by any stretch. The more I wrote, the better their side looked, and with potent player power across the paddock, it just could be their turn to go back to back.