Origin II – In the Mix: Queensland

Nick Fray, Origin Online and Over the Line Sports

The fallout from Origin I has been immense, with several players either ruled out or in major doubt for Game Two in Sydney in on June 18. Both sides are set to field substantially different lineups, with injuries, form and Greg Bird’s return from suspension all set to dramatically shape things up for one of the most anticipated Origin clashes in history.

Queensland

In the immediate aftermath of Game One Queensland looked to be in huge trouble for Game Two, however while a number of players remain in doubt the likes of Cameron Smith and Nate Myles should be fine and Billy Slater and Daly Cherry-Evans look likely to be available as well. Still, we’ll look to cover all possibilities here and with a couple of forwards fighting to keep their places after quiet efforts in the series opener there are several players in the mix for the Maroons. Let’s start with the centre position.

Will Chambers: While both Inglis and Hodges are fit for Game Two, Billy Slater remains in some doubt and if he were to be ruled out Inglis would be shifted to the fullback position, opening a spot in the centres. Most observers have Chambers pegged as the man most likely to cover a backline injury, and his form for Melbourne over the last couple of years suggests he would not be out of place. No Cooper Cronk may hurt his chances slightly as the two enjoy a good understanding at club level, but nonetheless he looks to be the front-runner at this stage.

Dane Gagai: An incident in a pre-season Origin camp appeared to put his Origin hopes to rest for the foreseeable future, but he is playing good footy and can cover any spot in the backline, which may just be enough for him to win back the trust of the Maroons’ brains trust. Another possible factor in his favour could be that he would team up with club teammate Darius Boyd on the left flank, however it all comes down to whether he has been forgiven for his pre-season indiscretion.

Cooper Cronk is officially ruled out, and while Daly Cherry-Evans is the obvious replacement he is no certainty to be fit for the game at this stage, which would not only open a spot at halfback but also a spot on the bench. Here are the next in line:

Ben Hunt: This would have been unthinkable when he was stuck playing backup hooker to Andrew McCullough last year, but Hunt has flourished since being promoted to the starting halfback position and has been one of the form players of the competition in 2014. Origin would be a huge step up for him but after Cronk and Cherry-Evans he is the clear-cut third choice at halfback, and with Broncos teammates Gillett, Parker and Hodges as well as possibly Thaiday and McGuire he would have little trouble meshing with the squad.

Anthony Milford: Milford’s star has dimmed just slightly this year as he has been inconsistent in a struggling Raiders side, but his talent is undeniable and his vision, agility and skill would make him an intriguing option at five-eighth if they opted to have Johnathan Thurston move to halfback. Should cherry-Evans play, Milford may also be an option for the bench utility spot although mail suggests they are likely to go with an extra forward at this stage.

Corey Norman: This would be a real left-field option given that his name hasn’t been mentioned by anyone but Norman has been tipped for big things for some time now and while he has been overshadowed at Parramatta this season by the likes of Jarryd Hayne he hasn’t really done a whole lot wrong. He’s not asked to do a whole lot in Parramatta’s unpredictable attack, but he is certainly capable of taking some heat off Thurston and he is a threatening ball-runner as well. If selectors view Hunt and Milford as being ‘too small’ for Origin then Norman could emerge as a bolter.

Cameron Smith will play through an ankle complaint and his name has been mentioned to fill the halfback role, but really, if you’ve got the game’s best hooker – and possibly best player – in your side, you play him at hooker. The other spots in question for the Maroons come on the bench, where Cherry-Evans’s spot may well be taken by a forward, while the likes of McQueen, Te’o and Papalii are all at risk of being dropped. Aidan Guerra was strong on debut and will get picked again, whilst Sam Thaiday will likely come into the starting side in place of McQueen. Here’s out take on the possible replacements on the bench:

Josh McGuire: With Matt Scott and Nate Myles being Queensland’s only true front rowers in Game One, go-forward was a real problem for them at various stages and a third prop would seem like a good idea. McGuire is regarded as the next in line at the front row position and his rare combination of workrate and aggression make him ideally suited to the Origin arena. He’s been excellent at club level this season and deserves a chance.

Brenton Lawrence: Manly’s late-bloomer has been among the game’s biggest improvers over the last couple of years, and while McGuire is probably ahead of him at this stage he may find himself in the mix if the Maroons opt to move Myles to the back row.

Dave Taylor: The ultimate risk/reward selection, Taylor has had yet another enigmatic season at club level but has been much better over the past month, and as a confidence player perhaps a show of faith from the Maroons selectors is just the kind of thing that will spur him on to take the next step as a footballer. On his day he is as damaging as anyone in the comp, but it would be a massive call to select him based on his efforts over the last 18 months.

Jake Friend: If Queensland were to do the unthinkable and play Smith at halfback Friend would get the nod over Bronco Andrew McCullough for the hooker spot, but again that would be lunacy. What is more likely is that Friend may take the bench utility role as he is strong enough to handle a stint in the back row as well as covering for Smith.

Jacob Lillyman: Not the flashiest of picks, but Lillyman is an experienced campaigner with Origin history and is one of those players you can count on to get the job done without any complaints. He’s quietly having a very strong year for the Warriors where he is probably out of sight, out of mind for most fans but his efforts will not have gone unnoticed by the Maroons hierarchy.

That’s all for Queensland, however there is always a chance that this weekend’s club games may throw a further spanner or two into the works. Be sure to leave your thoughts below or on our Facebook page, and if you haven’t already done so be sure to check out our look at how New South Wales is shaping up for Origin Two.