Opinion
The Queensland Maroons boast some of the toughest, elusive and durable outside backs in recent memory.
Valentine Holmes and Dane Gagai had been the most notable in recent times, setting the flanks alight before their switches to centre.
At the moment and unfortunately for New South Wales, the Queensland incumbent back three all look set the be custodians in Maroon for the next couple of seasons due to their respective ages.
Murray Taulagi, who plays for the North Queensland Cowboys, is the oldest of the three at just 24, while Selwyn Cobbo recently celebrated his 21st birthday and is a couple of months older than Reece Walsh, who is just 20.
Cobbo, who plays for the Broncos, is a 1.90cm big winger. The winger has the physique of a younger Greg Inglis, his aerial skill, speed and long range try-scoring abilities complement Murray Taulagi’s devastating tackle-breaking attributes, with incredible finishing abilities close to the line.
Taulagi also boasts a tough defense to compliment his attacking skills.
Then there’s Reece Walsh, who started at the Warriors for two seasons before moving to the Broncos ahead of this year.
As we saw in Origin I, this kid was made for Origin. Sometimes if watched closely he reminds footy fans of Queensland legend Billy Slater, who is now coach of Queensland.
Slater, one of the best outside backs of all time, is responsible for weaving together these three dynamic players into a coherent and dangerous Queensland attack.
Not only do these dangerous attackers play for the Maroons, but they also all ply their trade at Queensland-based clubs. For fans north of the border, this means year-round entertainment as well as a fair chance of long-term success in the game’s showpiece event.
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