State of Origin Player Previews: McQueen, Thaiday & Gillett

Nick Fray, Origin Online and Over the Line Sports

Chris McQueen, Queensland

Back Row, South Sydney Rabbitohs

Origin Appearances: 4

Origin Tries: 0

Origin Status: Looking to prove himself

Chris McQueen’s evolution from fringe first grade winger to Origin back rower over the last couple of seasons has been nothing short of remarkable, but after brushing off Beau Scott to set up a line break in the opening stages of Game One, he will have been disappointed with his output for the rest of the night and will be desperate to make amends tonight with his spot in the Maroons squad potentially on the line.

McQueen knows there are no excuses out there tonight, with Maroons selectors keeping the faith as they look to save the series. Given that a change of clubs has been widely touted come the end of the season, there is no better occasion for McQueen to prove his value than in a backs-to-the wall slugfest tonight.

Under the pump: Chris McQueen Source: www.news.com.au

Sam Thaiday, Queensland

Back Row, Brisbane Broncos

Origin Appearances: 20

Origin Tries: 3

Origin Status: Cult hero

One of a slew of current Maroons to have debuted in the pivotal 2006 series, Thaiday’s worth to the Maroons was at its most evident in Game One of the current series, when he was ruled out through injury. Missing his wrecking-ball runs on the right edge as well as his ability to pinch hit in the front row, Thaiday’s absence was a major factor in Queensland’s inability to forge attacking metres and his return is perhaps the most under-rated element of the Maroons’ preparation for tonight’s game.

With a couple of runs now under his belt since returning from injury, Thaiday will be desperate to help the Maroons reverse the Game One result and send the series into a decider at his home ground Suncorp Stadium. Although he is no longer Broncos captain, his leadership-by-example style will be crucial in inspiring teammates at various stage of tonight’s game.

Matt Gillett, Queensland

Lock, Brisbane Broncos

Time to step up: Matt Gillett Source: The Courier Mail

Origin Appearances: 7

Origin Tries: 0

Origin Status: Leader of the new wave

Even though Queensland have gone about their winning streak with minimum personnel changes over the past eight years, they have never been afraid to blood youngsters as they cast an eye to the future. Broncos forward Matt Gillett has been one of the main beneficiaries of that policy, to the point where he has become one of the side’s most important players with veteran Corey Parker approaching the twilight of his career.

With Parker’s absence tonight, now is the time to Gillett to deliver on what many believe is unfulfilled promise in the Origin arena. With 7 games now under his belt, Gillett is at a stage where he needs to step up and become a genuine Origin star, as opposed to just ‘one of the young guys’. Blessed with a rare combination of athleticism and ball skills for a player of his size, Gillett has the potential to develop into one of the game’s top stars, and his performances for the Broncos this year suggest he’s not far off. If he can finally have the same sort of impact on an Origin game, tonight may just prove the making of him.