Billy Slater has no worries about throwing his rookies into the Origin arena, with the new Queensland coach backing his new blood to succeed despite their relative lack of experience.
The Maroons squad, announced this morning, includes four debutants in the starting 17 and another two in the extended bench, with Broncos stars Selwyn Cobbo and Pat Carrigan set for debuts, along with four North Queensland Cowboys in Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden and Murray Taulagi.
“They picked themselves,” said Slater. “They decide whether they are performing well enough to play for Queensland.
“We’re fortunate enough to have a group of Queenslanders that deserve to play for Queensland this year, and we’ve picked a 22-man squad that I’d be comfortable with any of them playing next Wednesday night.”
“That’s one position that we have been a bit skinny in the past, in the centres and wings. We’ve gone with Xavier Coates and Selwyn Cobbo, we feel that their performances have earned them a chance in game one so that’s where we went.
“Murray has made the extended squad and is in the 22, which is a great reward for his development, and I suppose, a reward for the Cowboys and the way that they’re going.
“Those individuals from the Cowboys that have made the squad have certainly contributed, and Murray is one of them.
“Corey Oates is another guy that I’ve been really impressed with this year, and if we had to throw him a jersey, we’d have full belief that he could do a job for us.”
Carrigan is the most experienced of those named in the starting 17 with 54 NRL appearances. Cotter has 31, Cobbo less than a season’s worth on 19 and Nanai just 16 games in top grade. Indeed, Nanai only made his debut in round 22 last year.
“He grew up in Cairns, only an hour away from where I grew up,” he said. “He’s a good young man and his performances have earned him his jersey.
“Not just chasing kicks and scoring tries, he’s been doing a lot of work for his team. He made 51 tackles at the weekend in a tough environment down at Penrith. He showed some toughness and he’s a guy that I’m really looking forward to getting out on the field.”
Queensland also named Kalyn Ponga at fullback, with the Newcastle star retaining his place ahead of Reece Walsh of the New Zealand Warriors.
“We expect Kalyn to be at his best and it’s part of our job to help him outlay that best football,” said Slater, himself a former Maroons fullback.
“We know what Kalyn is capable of, he’s a tough lad and football and Queensland are important to him. I’m comfortable with Kalyn wearing the number 1.
“I don’t think I’ve been concerned about anyone. The players actions will determine if they want to be playing for Queensland. Although Kalyn’s team hasn’t been playing overly well, Kalyn’s effort has never been questioned.
“If the effort goes, you start asking questions, but I haven’t seen any efforts that would deter me from picking him.”
The big out was Titans back-rower David Fifita, though it was revealed by his club that he has torn an MCL ligament and will miss the next month anyway.
“I haven’t yet but I will. I’ll call some guys that have been in and around the team because there’s some disappointment there. I’ve been there, I know what it’s like. you can only pick 17 players to play for Queensland, and there’s a lot more than 17 that could do a really good job for Queensland at the moment.
There’s disappointed players out there but the show goes on and there’s going to be opportunities in the future.”
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Forgiven if you refuse to be reminded.
Nat
Roar Guru
Halves are not decoys but he did pass the ball to Mitchell a couple of times for Latrell to run 50m so I suppose that was something. I’m sure he’ll be better this year, surely some stats are better than no stats.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Seriously your memory must have been like a sieve that day. Better watch the highlight reels to bring you back to reality.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Sometimes the decoy is the greatest asset.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Agreed jimmmy. Dearden wouldn't let QLD down.
Nat
Roar Guru
In his 2 games last year where NSW scored 76pts and he had no tries, no try assists, no line breaks or line breaks assists? It’s hard to forget. :stoked:
kk
Roar Pro
South Aussie Norm Hobbs pioneered the auto gear box. Now Queenslander, Billy Slater is developing auto origin squad selection. There will not be any torque problems with Billy's Boys and the production line method simplifies continuing assembly. This may replace the stick and pick procedure. Billy is a natural and has brought a sense of adventure to the origin rectangle. Roarers, we are about to witness 'The Unstoppables'. As Eric used to say "This I believe"
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Luai is undefeated at Origin level, as is the Luai/Cleary pairing. Let's not lose sight of that.
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
Hi Eagle can only see luai slotting in and wighton to 6 , it could be fittlers plan to give cook a rest around the 30 min mark . Might be a master stroke
Def played better in my books, agree he may not be as fast, however Foxx is not playing, Tupou is, Oats is perfect for him, and also his equal in the air. Out of Coates and Cobbo, Oats is the better in the air and stronger in ball return, & and safer under the high ones, not to mention better decision making under pressure. The others are more green to me..
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah Pilferer that would be Slater’s thinking. But you’d hate to have to call on that early in the game (when collisions are more fierce and HIAs more prevalent). Still it’s something. Munster can also be shifted wider if need be. NSW seem well covered for injury except at 9. If Cook goes down (especially early), well you could say they are cooked.
Phil
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't say he has outplayed C & C, definitely been as good as them in the tough stuff but is slow for a winger. There was a game a few weeks back where Oates made a break, was in the clear and was easily run down. Maybe that went against him.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Of course not Albo but it’s a great thing for the young fella to be included in the squad and he deserves it . I don’t get carried away with his ability or ignore his shortcomings but I love the kid. Happiest part of the team selection for me.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
I think it's a case of 'pick and stick' with Ben Hunt. He was MOTM in Game 3 last year playing at 9. He's also in very good form.
100%. Has outplayed both Coates and Cobbo.
You wouldve though Corey Oats stole Billy's lunch or something.
mushi
Roar Guru
"The first step towards actually belonging young man, is looking like you belong." Slater may have no idea, but agree that he looks like he does. Which might be enough given we know Freddy is the lucky ticket winner at the moment.
Nico
Roar Rookie
Very tough on Corey Oates to miss out, not sure what else he could've done to earn selection. He's basically like having an extra forward on the pitch and always puts his hand up to take the tough carries early in the set, for Qld's sake hope that Cobbo and Coates can do the job
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
Capewell to centre Holmes and gagai cover wing and fullback
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
Grant will come on after 20-25 minutes when the sting has gone out of nsw forwards Hunt will come back in the middle/roving role I reckon