State of Origin Player Profiles: Thurston, Cherry-Evans & Hunt

Nick Fray, Origin Online and Over the Line Sports

Origin Online continues its series of player profiles ahead of tonight’s big game, focusing here on the yet-to-be-determined Maroons halves.

Johnathan Thurston, Queensland

Five-eighth, North Queensland Cowboys

Origin Appearances: 29

Origin Tries: 5

Origin Status: One of the greats

With Cooper Cronk out of action, Johnathan Thurston shapes as the single most important player on the park in Origin Two as the Maroons look to stave off a Blues side that can taste a breakthrough series win. If he struggles, New South Wales win – it’s as simple as that. However,  if he produces one of his trademark blinders the Blues have a problem, because he’s shown so many times over his Origin career that he can create something out of nothing and inspire his Queensland side to victory.

In fact, if not for one of Thurston’s moments of pure genius, we probably wouldn’t even be here contemplating eight straight series wins. In the decider of the 2008 series, with the game on a knife’s edge at 10-all, Thurston produced the winning try for Billy Slater with a ridiculous dummy and step inside his own half to send Billy Slater on his way to an historic try.

With four Man of the Match Awards, he trails only the legendary Wally Lewis and is in elite company alongside Allan Langer, Peter Sterling and Andrew Johns, and his Origin career is littered with performances that have even earned begrudging praise from those south of the border, such as his three-assist effort in Game One of the 2010 series. For so long a tortured soul at club level, Thurston almost seems to relish the opportunity to take out his frustrations on the hapless Blues players.

As the only man to have played every game for the Maroons during their eight-year winning run, Thurston knows better than anyone just what it will take to lead Queensland to victory tonight. He will be primed for a massive game – the question is whether the Blues can do anything about it.

Daly Cherry-Evans, Queensland

Halfback, Manly Sea Eagles

Will this be DCE’s breakout game? Source: The Courier Mail

Origin Appearances: 3

Origin Tries: 0

Origin Status: Waiting in the wings

Groomed since last year as the heir apparent in Queensland’s halves, DCE got his first real chance to shine in Game One but was unable to make the most of it. Struggling for cohesion with his teammates after coming on early in the first half for the injured Cooper Cronk, Cherry-Evans was expected to make a seamless transition into the playmaker role and would have been disappointed with his lack of impact.

Cherry-Evans has a golden opportunity to make things right in tonight’s game, but is yet to be cleared to play as he is struggling with a knee injury. While the latest news is promising for the Sea Eagles ace, it would be a cruel blow if he was forced to withdraw tonight as impressive Broncos playmaker Ben Hunt would be given a the halfback spot and could perhaps even pass Cherry-Evans in the pecking order if he can help guide the Maroons to victory.

However, injuries haven’t stopped Cherry-Evans from another solid year at club level, as despite missing a couple of games he has once again been able to guide Manly to some crucial wins that have them poised for yet another finals appearance. Playing through pain is part and parcel of being an Origin player, and if Cherry-Evans is passed fit expect him to do everything in his power to steer the Maroons to victory and cement his position as Queensland’s next great halfback.

Ben Hunt, Queensland

Halfback, Brisbane Broncos

Will DCE’s injury throw Hunt into the fire? Source: The Courier Mail

Origin Appearances: 0

Origin Tries: 0

Origin Status: Uncertain

The speculation surrounding Daly Cherry-Evans and his knee injury cannot be making life easy for Bronco Ben Hunt, but already this season he has shown a remarkable ability to thrive under pressure and the decision by Maroons selectors to name him in an extended squad will pay enormous dividends if he receives the callup tonight, as it has given him the advantage of training with his Maroons teammates for the past week.

A huge question mark for the Broncos coming into this season, Hunt’s career had stalled somewhat since being named Under 20s Player of the Year back in 2008, often stuck playing backup hooker to Andrew McCullough with Peter Wallace keeping him out of the no.7 jersey. However, Hunt has defied all the doubters to not only provide the answer to the club’s halfback spot but also emerged as a genuine match-winner in his own right, showing a willingness to run with the ball that has troubled many an opponent, whilst his kicking game is improving each week.

Still, asking a halfback to make the step up to Origin football in his first full year of first grade is a huge ask, and the Blues will definitely look to target him at every opportunity. The pressure of the occasion would be enormous for the young Bronco, but if his efforts so far this year are any indication he will be more than up to the task.