Game One Team Guide: Queensland

The Maroons have gone with largely the same squad that relinquished the shield last year, with just the two new faces appearing on the interchange bench. While questions may abound regarding the age and competitive desire of Mal Meninga’s squad, there can be no doubt about its credentials; this will be one of the most accomplished groups of footballers to ever take the field together.

Here’s our take on each member of the Queensland squad:

1. Billy Slater: Experience, class and the crucial ability to create something from nothing, Slater is everything you want out of  fullback at this level. Having missed the trans-Tasman test through a shoulder injury, he is reportedly in some doubt due to a flare-up earlier this week, so he will be desperate to prove his fitness and show he’s not  spent force in the representative arena.

2. Darius Boyd: Boyd’s presence in this game after tearing his Achilles in the pre-season is nothing short of miraculous. He’s been solid upon his return to the Broncos line-up without setting he world on fire, but as Origin’s all-time leading try-scorer he deserves some leeway there. He’ll enjoy facing off against Will Hopoate down Queensland’s left flank.

3. Greg Inglis: For perhaps the first time in his career, Inglis is struggling a little bit for form, with an uncharacteristically poor performance in the ANZAC test and some quiet showings with the stuttering Rabbitohs placing him under some pressure. Fortunately for the Maroons, an out-of-sort Inglis is still amongst the top few players in the game, and the big occasion may be just what he needs to kick-start his season.

Greg Inglis will be looking to make amends for a quiet year so far
Source: The Cairns Post

4. Justin Hodges: Yet another Maroon to struggle with injuries this year, Hodges comes into this series knowing it will be his last. He’ll be hoping to see a lot more of the ball this time out after Queensland showed an over-reliance on the left edge in attack last year, and as the smartest outside back in the game his bag of tricks could prove the difference if the game becomes a defensive slugfest.

5. Will Chambers: Chambers has proven he belongs at this level after a great Origin debut in Game Three last year, and was one of Australia’s best in the recent defeat to the Kiwis. He is arguably the NRL’s best outside back at the moment, and his club combination with halfback Cooper Cronk should ensure the right flank is better utilised in attack  in this series.

6. Johnathan Thurston: After a slow start to the year, Thurston has been on fire over the last couple of months, leading the Cowboys from equal last after Round 3 to equal first going into the rep period. Provided his forwards can keep Blues hitman Beau Scott out of his face he should have a big say in the outcome of the series.

The Blues are in big trouble if Thurston’s club form is any indication
Source: Zimbio

7. Cooper Cronk: Cronk is having a relatively quiet year by his standards, with rumours that he’s being managed through a mystery injury refusing to die. With that said, his steady hand is a big reason why Melbourne sits among the leaders at club level, and his influence in the Origin arena was made all too clear when he went down with a broken arm last year.

8. Matthew Scott: At this time last year Scott was the unquestioned no.1 prop in the game, however his performances so far in 2015 have been slightly lacking, with many critics suggesting the likes of Woods and Fifita have surpassed him. If Queensland is to be any hope of matching the Blues in the yardage game, they’ll need Scott at his absolute best.

9. Cameron Smith: Queensland were spared some major drama with Smith escaping suspension for a stray boot to Issac Luke’s head, and nobody will be more eager to avenge last year’s series defeat than the skipper. Despite a new generation of quality no.9s emerging, Smith continues to stand alone as the game’s premier hooker, and as long as he’s on the park the Maroons can never be counted out.

Cameron Smith: Mr Reliable, Captain Courageous and Superman all rolled into one
Source: The Herald Sun

10. Nate Myles: Myles is another Maroon who has been well below his best this season, struggling to make an impact at club level with the Titans and being a non-factor in the ANZAC test. The selections of McGuire on the bench and Napa as 18th man suggest he is under very real pressure to keep his place in the team, so watch for him to lift a gear for this one.

11. Aidan Guerra: Despite missing time recently due to a fractured cheekbone, Guerra retains his Origin spot after a cracking debut series in 2014. Very solid in defence, Guerra’s real strength is with the ball in hand, where the Maroons will be hoping he can further develop his combination with Greg Inglis on the left. He is particularly dangerous close to the line.

12. Sam Thaiday: Benched by Wayne Bennett after an inauspicious start to the season, Thaiday has responded with some of his best football in years recently, playing a big part in the Broncos’ surge to the top of the NRL ladder. With all the talk of Beau Scott targeting Johnathan Thurston, the Blues would do well to remember Thaiday is perfectly capable of doing some serious damage himself – just ask Rooster James Maloney.

13. Corey Parker: Despite having just turned 33, Parker is in the form of his life and a case could be made for him as the best forward in the game at the moment. While he’s always been a stats monster, his running game is doing some real damage at club level and his knack for an offload gives any side he plays for a huge edge in terms of second-phase play.

Corey Parker: Older, wiser and better
Source: The Courier Mail

14. Michael Morgan: With Daly Cherry-Evans ruled out through injury, Morgan is expected to join Josh McGuire in earning a debut Origin jersey, and on recent form he has every right to be there. As impressive as he was at fullback last season, he’s arguably performing even better in the halves at the moment, and his combination with Johnathan Thurston could prove a real factor in the final 20 minutes.

15. Josh McGuire: McGuire finally gets his shot, having been on the cusp of selection for a few years now. An aggressive, relentless prop who relishes a contest, McGuire possess the ideal mentality for Origin, and despite being considered small by front rower standards, he is more than capable of holding his own against the mammoth Blues pack.

16. Matt Gillett: One of the game’s most gifted young forwards, Gillett hasn’t quite lived up to expectations this year, starting the season carrying an injury and spending more time on the interchange bench than a player of his calibre should. Still, he is a vital part of Queensland’s future plans and is versatile enough to cover a number of positions if the Maroons suffer any injuries during the game.

17. Jacob Lillyman: Lillyman might be the most anonymous member of the Maroons squad, but he is by no means a weak link. Another smallish front rower, he’s not a workhorse like McGuire but is the sort of player who’ll take the tough hit-up when his teammates are exhausted and his fearlessness in defence will be crucial against someone like Andrew Fifita in full flight.

18th Man – Dylan Napa: Napa remains in the running for a late call-up, possibly at Morgan’s expense, due to concerns over the Blues’ size advantage but in all likelihood will have to bide his time a little while longer. Napa boasts the size Queensland covets in the forwards but with just 41 NRL caps to his name, he might be considered a bit raw at this stage.

Nick Fray, Origin Online

The ANZAC Test: Origin Implications

New Zealand’s stunning triumph in Sunday’s trans-Tasman test has applied the blowtorch to a number of underperforming Aussies, who now find themselves fighting not only for their test futures but potentially their Origin spots as well. Fielding a side featuring an abundance of experience and success, the Aussies were played off the park by a younger, and some would say hungrier Kiwi outfit, and selectors may well be second-guessing some names who just last week would have been considered certainties.

First, on the injury front, debutant Josh Dugan left the field late with a leg injury and may be in some doubt for Game One, which would make Penrith’s Matt Moylan a near-certainty for the fullback spot given Brett Stewart’s recent struggles to stay on the park. At any rate, Dugan’s performance in an unfamiliar position was poor, and should ensure he is not considered for a spot on the wing, with a number of poor defensive reads allowing Manu Vatuvei to punish the Aussies; the Blues can ill-afford such lapses against the prolific Inglis/Boyd combo down that same edge.

Josh Dugan is unlikely to be picked on the Blues wing after Sunday’s shocker
Source: wwos.ninemsn.com.au

The Blues must also decide what to make of Greg Bird, who is on report for a lifting tackle on Jason Nightingale. It’s highly unlikely he’ll be suspended long enough to keep him out of Origin, but it’s yet another example of poor discipline from the Titans veteran, who has racked up a litany of indiscretions both on and off the field. Given that coach Laurie Daley has been vocal about establishing a more professional culture at the Blues, he’ll face a tough decision as to whether he wants to stick with a hardened veteran who has been a great servant for the Blues, or continue refining the side’s culture by making an example of the wayward Bird.

The other key talking point for the Blues coming out of the game is the quiet performance of debutant Alex Johnston on the wing. Granted, he didn’t get a whole lot of ball with his centre Michael Jennings taking on the line at every opportunity, but you get the sense the Blues selectors would have liked to see a bit more initiative from him.

Will the Blues still look to Alex Johnston’s untapped talent after a quiet test debut?
Source: www.triplem.com.au

The Aussies’ poor performance would be particularly concerning for the Queensland selectors, given that the nucleus of the side was built around the same Maroons core that dominated Origin for so long. The performance of Greg Inglis at fullback was very disappointing; it may have just been an off-day, but selectors are likely to be a lot more comfortable going into Game One if long-time custodian Billy Slater is available.

Cooper Cronk is another who failed to fire on Sunday, and rumours have been swirling for weeks now that he is carrying an injury. Whether or not that’s true, he’s been fairly quiet at club level by his standards this season, and while he will almost certainly be picked for Game One, his spot may come under threat from Ben Hunt or Daly Cherry-Evans if he struggles again, particularly if Queensland find themselves 1-0 down in the series.

Nate Myles is a similar case, struggling to stand out at the Titans this year while contributing very little to the Kangaroos’ cause on Sunday. He always lifts a gear for Origin and will still be one of the first picked for the Maroons, but there may be a push to include an additional prop on the bench this year in case he struggles, particularly given that front row partner Matt Scott is also down on form of late. Broncos workhorse Josh McGuire is desperate for a shot in the Origin arena and may provide the injection of enthusiasm that the older warhorses need.

Nate Myles needs to lift after a slow start to 2015
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au

The performance of Will Chambers on debut was encouraging – he didn’t always execute but his energy was obvious throughout the 80 minutes. With Broncos pair Darius Boyd and Justin Hodges both pushing to return to full fitness in time for Game One, Chambers seems set to line up at right wing, but the Maroons can be confident they’ve found a long-term successor to Hodges at centre.

Cover Image Source: www.foxsports.com.au

Nick Fray, Origin Online

Queensland Origin Contenders 2015: The Backs

We’re now just a month away from the Game One teams announcements, and with injuries, suspensions and form slumps wreaking havoc across the NRL already this year we might be in for a few surprises when the squads are finally named. We continue our look at the men competing for spots as we run the rule over Queensland’s injury-plagued backline.

Fullback

This one is fairly straightforward – if Billy Slater returns to full fitness in time for Game One he’ll be there, if not it will be Greg Inglis. Should disaster strike and both men are unavailable, just about anything could happen here, but it would most likely open the door for a versatile livewire like Anthony Milford or Ben Barba.

Billy Slater is racing the clock, but should line up in his customary no.1 jumper
Source: wwos.ninemsn.com.au

Wing

Darius Boyd is well ahead of schedule in his recovery from an Achilles tear, but getting up for Game One would be a miracle. With Melbourne’s Will Chambers seemingly locked into one spot following a successful debut in Game Three last year and consistent performances at club level since, Boyd’s spot is likely to be filled by either Newcastle’s Dane Gagai or Bronco Dale Copley, with Gagai probably marginally ahead at the moment.

A possible dark horse is young Shark Valentine Holmes – he’s viewed by many as Slater’s long-term successor at the back, and while it might be a little early for him the Maroons do have a history of blooding talented backs on the wing – Slater, Inglis and Hodges all had the same initiation.

Valentine Holmes has enjoyed a stunning start to his career, catapulting him into Origin contention
Source: www.sharks.com.au

Centre

Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges are the incumbents, and if everyone’s fit they’ll be there again. However, Inglis could be forced into fullback should Slater fail to recover in time, while Hodges himself has struggled through hamstring issues that will keep him out of the Trans-Tasman test. Fortunately, the Maroons have plenty of depth here, with Chambers, Gagai and Copley all accomplished performers in the position.

Regardless of his birthplace, Greg Inglis is a Maroons legend and a future immortal
Source: www.zimbio.com

Halves

Barring injury, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk will the 6 & 7 for the Maroons, so the real interest falls upon the bench role filled by Daly Cherry-Evans in recent times. While Cherry-Evans’s recent issues have been well-documented, his form hasn’t been all that terrible, and the Queensland selectors’ famous loyalty to incumbents could work in his favour.

However, many believe that Bronco Ben Hunt has surged ahead of him over the last 12 months, and his experience spelling Andrew McCullough at hooker would probably make him more suitable for the role. The Maroons could even surprise us all by putting Milford or Cowboy Michael Morgan here, but it seems unlikely at this stage.

Can Ben Hunt follow up his 2014 Kangaroos debut with a spot on the Queensland bench?
Source: www.couriermail.com.au

Cover Image Source: www.roundeight.com

Nick Fray, Origin Online

Where to now for Queensland?

Nick Fray, Origin Online and Over the Line Sports

Eight in a row – it’s a good run in any competitive arena, and anyone who accomplishes such a feat has earned the right to reflet proudly upon such an achievement when the end finally comes. Unfortunately, whilst history is nice, the present, and indeed the future, are always more important – take the South Sydney Rabbitohs for example. Sure, they’ve won 20 premierships, but the last of them was so long ago (1971) that the majority of their fans probably weren’t around to see it.

With this in mind, the time for Maroon reflection is already over as they look to reassert their dominance in the Origin arena after New South Wales finally ended their golden era. However, whilst the bulk of their players should be available next year, it’s no secret there are a number of key players getting up there in years, and it may not be long before we see a considerably different Queensland side to the one we’ve come to know in recent years. The Maroons have done a good job of slowly integrating players of the future into the setup in recent years, but they’ll need to hope those players are up to the task as the vast majority of emerging NRL stars at the moment bleed blue.

At fullback, Billy Slater has obviously been an integral part of Queensland’s success in recent time, but at 31 he’s not exactly ‘Billy the Kid’ anymore. While he still possesses incredible quickness and vision, he’s become increasingly injury=prone over the last couple of years and may be a candidate for retirement in the next couple of years. Fortunately, the Maroons are likely to enjoy several more years of Greg Inglis and he appears set to take over at the back once Slater calls it a day.

Not going anywhere: Greg Inglis Source: The Cairns Post

In the backs, Brent Tate may well have played his last game after the devastating injury suffered in Game Two, whilst running mate Justin Hodges is 32 and no stranger to serious injury himself. Also, with Inglis likely to move to fullback in the near future, Queensland are likely to need 3 new faces in the backline within a couple of years. One of those spots seems destined to go to Will Chambers, who will debut on the wing tonight as Tate’s replacement. Newcastle’s Dane Gagai has enjoyed another solid season and will surely come into calculations if forgiven for his transgression in a pre-season camp, whilst Bronco Dale Copley has enjoyed his best year of first grade after coming back from a serious injury and has been touted as a candidate for Origin football. Melbourne’s Justin O’Neill has become something of a forgotten man due to injuries and inconsistent form, but at 23 he still has plenty of time to get his career back on track. Also, given that Queensland’s success began with giving talented youngsters a shot, Canberra cousins Edrick and Brenko Lee might get their shot sooner rather than later.

Young gun: Brenko Lee Source: The Courier Mail

First choice halves Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk probably still have another three or four years in them, but the Maroons have already shown their hands here with Daly Cherry-Evans already a regular part of the squad and Bronco Ben Hunt almost debuting in Game Two this year due to injuries. Watch also for Anthony Milford, who is likely to play five-eighth when he moves to Brisbane next year but can also cover fullback, although at the moment it seems that Luke Keary will be forced to represent the Blues if he develops into an Origin footballer.

Biding his time: Ben Hunt Source: The Courier Mail

Front row is an interesting position for Queensland, as they’ve moved away from the traditional four-man prop rotation over the last couple of years to rely more on backrowers pinch-hitting for short spells. Some claim that this tactic is part of the reason Queensland have been off the pace his year, however despite seemingly irresistible claims Josh McGuire was only able to snare 19th man duties for tonight’s game. While he’s the obvious next cab off the rank at the position, there’s little else coming through at the position for Queensland, with only Rooster Dylan Napa getting a mention. Martin Kennedy looked a likely candidate a couple of years ago but his career has regressed significantly this season. At 29, Ben Hannant and Brenton Lawrence may be called upon over the next few years as Queensland wait for the likes of Bulldogs youngster Lloyd Perrett to develop. Fortunately, starting trio Matt Scott, Nate Myles and Jacob Lillyman still have some good years left in them.

Knocking on the door: Josh McGuire Source: The Courier Mail

At hooker, captain Cameron Smith is now 31, but he is the sort of player who could conceivably play on until his mid-30s. Still, the Maroons have started integrating Rooster Jake Friend into the Origin setup, whilst Bronco Andrew McCullough has had a hugely impressive year, so Queensland look well-stocked at the position regardless of how long Smith plays on.

The heir apparent: Jake Friend Source: The Courier Mail

And finally, whilst the back row position looked extremely healthy not so long ago, the advanced age of Corey Parker will open a starting spot, whilst Ben Te’o also looks likely to be unavailable due to a rumoured move to European rugby. Also, whilst hardly an established Origin star, Dave Taylor is also rumoured to be a target for the 15-a-side game and may be another one to scratch from the list. Still, with Aidan Guerra impressing in his first couple of Origin games and the likes of Matt Gillett, Chris McQueen, Josh Papalii available they have a good young nucleus around Sam Thaiday, but ideally they’d love it if guys like Corey Oates and Ethan Lowe can step up and establish themselves as Origin-calibre players.

Promising signs: Ethan Lowe Source: The Daily Telegraph

We’ve become so accustomed to seeing the same players turn out for the Maroons over the last few years that the thought of a new-look side within the next couple of years may seem a scary one for Queensland fans. While the names listed above suggests that there is still enough talent to ensure the Maroons stay competitive for years to come, the majority of them still have much to prove before they can be considered Origin-calibre, and if even a few of them fail to live up to expectations it’s entirely possible that the Blues may be about to embark on a golden era of their own.

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.