The only real selection debate for Billy Slater has been settled by Kalyn Ponga’s untimely foot injury.
Newcastle’s captain was probably unlikely to get the nod ahead of Reece Walsh for the Queensland fullback jersey in Origin I but Slater was keeping his options open heading into this year’s series.
Ponga is likely to miss most of the season, including the entire Origin series, with his ligament issue and Walsh, who missed the final game last year due to suspension, will reclaim the No.1 jersey from Gold Coast’s AJ Brimson.
The early return of Jai Arrow this Friday from a shoulder injury is potentially a big boost for Slater’s pack after Tom Gilbert and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui were ruled out with season-ending injuries.
Tom Flegler’s return date is up in the air after suffering nerve damage in his shoulder while playing for the Dolphins in Round 5.
“The time frame is when Tom can feel his shoulder again and the nerves are operating properly,” Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett said. “It is nerve damage and has got to be repaired.”
Slater is likely to blood a new forward or two for the Accor Stadium showdown with NSW on June 5 with Eels lock J’maine Hopgood, North Queensland’s Heilum Luki and Titans second-rower Beau Fermor a chance of making their debut.
More experienced forwards Francis Molo, Moeaki Fotuaika and Christian Welch are also in the mix for the bench berths.
“We don’t just bring players in (to camp) for an experience. We bring them in because of the quality of football they are playing and because it is to the standard this group has created,” Slater said.
“Guys like J’maine Hopgood who weren’t in the team are obviously playing to that standard at their club. It is a position, in the middle of the field, that has been quite competitive for Queensland over the last few years.
“There is Christian Welch, Mo Fotuaika and even Francis Molo, who is doing a really good job for the Dragons. There is opportunity when injury comes and you have to be ready to walk through the door when it opens.”
Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is holding out hope of making an early comeback from a hamstring injury by the time Queensland name their team after Round 12 in just over a month.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Last year’s team
Origin III
1 AJ Brimson
2 Xavier Coates
3 Valentine Holmes
4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5 Murray Taulagi
6 Cameron Munster
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Reuben Cotter
9 Harry Grant
10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11 David Fifita
12 Jeremiah Nanai
13 Patrick Carrigan
14 Ben Hunt
15 Lindsay Collins
16 Moeaki Fotuaika
17 Corey Horsburgh
Brimson will make way for Walsh at the back, Fa’asuamaleaui is sidelined until next year with a torn ACL and Corey Horsburgh is struggling to mount a case for selection due to a groin injury, but the rest of Slater’s squad should be available.
Carrigan could be switched up front to prop to take on the Fa’asuamaleaui role of being the team’s main aggressor.
The spine
You can lock it in that, barring injuries, Walsh will be at the back, Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans will combine in the halves with Ben Hunt and Harry Grant sharing the hooking duties.
Tom Dearden put in an exemplary debut two years ago at five-eighth when Munster was out but will again be warming the bench in jersey No.18.
The backs
Tabuai-Fidow has been electric at centre for the Maroons over the past couple of years but even if he can’t get back from his hamstring problem in time, Slater has Selwyn Cobbo at the ready.
Cobbo has made a great fist of his switch in from the wing at the Broncos this season and will partner Valentine Holmes in the centres if the Hammer can’t nail down his fitness.
Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi are the first-choice options on the flanks although the latter could be squeezed out if Cobbo is not needed at centre.
Reece Walsh. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The pack
David Fifita and Jeremiah Nanai haven’t been at their absolute best at club level this season but have the ability to rise to the occasion for Origin.
Cotter is a proven 80-minute performer for Queensland while Lindsay Collins has developed into one of the top five props in the NRL at the Roosters.
The only real question facing Slater is whether he ushers in some new blood on his bench by picking Hopgood, Luki or Fermor or sticks with players who have been there and done that like Fotuaika and Welch.
Flegler is all but certain to be one of the planks of the middle-forward rotation if he overcomes his shoulder concern in time and could even be used as a starter while Hopgood’s ability to switch to an edge could give him an advantage over other options for a bench spot.
Possible Maroons team
1 Reece Walsh
2 Xavier Coates
3 Valentine Holmes
4 Selwyn Cobbo/Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5 Murray Taulagi/Cobbo
6 Cameron Munster
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Patrick Carrigan
9 Ben Hunt
10 Lindsay Collins
11 David Fifita
12 Jeremiah Nanai
13 Reuben Cotter
14 Harry Grant
15 Tom Flegler
16 Moeaki Fotuaika
17 J’maine Hopgood
18 Tom Dearden
Tony
Roar Guru
Always lazy is our Davy
Horses for Courses
Roar Rookie
Lazy Davy didn't look real lazy on ANZAC Day.
Jason
Roar Rookie
Id like to see Herherington and Jensen ge to the level expected by Slater. They seem perfect for origin
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah I agree but I don't put too much weight on Hunt in those games vs what he will bring in origin. It's a whole other level of quality player and a backup #7 if need be.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I know he has always done the job for QLD in the past, but I thought Ben Hunt was terrible yesterday for the Dragons. Maybe it was just an aberration, but he was ordinary. You might save a bench spot by starting Grant and using Cotter or Hopgood as cover off the bench ? As for backrow spots, I think Su'A is on fire and looks the best of the Maroons backrowers at present.
Albo
Roar Rookie
After last nights performance any doubts about Munster's form should be buried. He will be the QLD number 6 yet again.
Albo
Roar Rookie
100% . Do we not forget Flegler's performance in the Grand Final ? He was enormous as a starting prop, and will surely get an Origin start with Collins. Carrigan is the 13, and Cotter will be on the bench.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
The Blues efforts in the first two games of last year's series, certainly did.
Nat
Roar Guru
Maroon heart because the Blues give you the sh.ts? :silly:
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Maroon top and Blue shorts. :stoked:
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Yep, he cetainly played his best game in 12 months I reckon.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Tick that off your list :laughing: :laughing:
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Don't dispute any of what he has achieved, I guess our definition of big game players is slightly different :thumbup:
Nat
Roar Guru
A few years a go he was toying with defensive lines. I’m not sure he’s that player anymore – good and bad. He can still find a moment though. He was the one who grubbers for Hammer’s first, he beat Cleary and Hynes to put Hammer away to take the lead and supports Collins for the try to seal it (hilarious vision to see the whole team leave Munny on his pat malone and run back to Collins). What colour are you wearing on game night?
Nat
Roar Guru
If Hammer is fit, he’s in but with only 2 games before the team assembles I have my concerns for G1. I went Welsh over Mo because he is faster in line speed and a lot of big game experience. There’s enough middles to give him a solid 35mins off the bench. I get Capes isn’t what he used to be but he covers middle, backrow and center. No one else is that versatile plus been there done that. Both were in Billy’s get together at the start of the year. Su’A is another that comes to mind for his form this year.
Cam
Roar Rookie
I think anyone who has played and won World Cup finals, NRL Grand Finals and Origin deciders, by definition are “big game players”. Munster has a Wally Smith Medal, 11 test jerseys and a couple of premiership rings. When selectors sit down to pick one of Munster, Mam or Dearden, yes they look at form, but a massive factor is also past experience.
Sportstragic
Roar Rookie
Yer Mam definitely is in the calculations. Slater has mentioned it.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Your forward pack is the bomb. Great choice of Grant on the bench. He will kill them at the 30th min h1. . Collins , Fleg Arrow all workaholics and Fifita to be the X Factor. Now backs . ? Hammer has to be there. He covers FB, centre, wing . Now wethr you go Cobbo, Holmes , Hammer or Tualagi , Holmes Hammer and who plays wing or centre doesn't matter but Hammer starts. Then bench, not sure about Capewell. I went Hopgood. And Welsh ??? I have Mo in front . Still the fact we still have options is great
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I'm sure you're right about getting the role, barring injury between now and then. I'd really like to see him take over a game as he used to do a few years ago.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I hope you're right about Hynes. Luai is terrific at Club level but nowhere near as effective at SOO. I think if Qld had a full suite of forwards to choose from they could probably get on top pretty comfortably, but losing Tino and the rest has hurt them a lot. That said, if the Blues only play at 80 or 90% of capacity, the Maroons who are left, could easily dominate