The Queensland squad for Game I on the Adelaide Oval will likely be named by Billy Slater in just below three weeks with quite a few attention-grabbing selections at key positions to be made.
The Kalyn Ponga/Reece Walsh battle for the fullback spot shapes up as essentially the most fascinating, however Slater may also must make some powerful choices on the wing and within the ahead pack with loads of fringe gamers placing their hand up for choice.
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FOX LEAGUE PODCAST – REECE ROBSON
Cowboys hooker Reece Robson dissects his aspect’s “frustrating” begin to the season and opens up on when the group realised one thing wasn’t fairly proper. Robson additionally seems to be again at his rugby league journey to change into one of many high No.9s within the recreation. Listen HERE >
Read on for the important thing contenders and verdict for every place.
FULLBACK
Incumbent: Kalyn Ponga
In the combo: Ponga, Reece Walsh.
Analysis: Even although it’s shaping up as a race in two, the struggle for the Queensland #1 jersey might be essentially the most intriguing. Incumbent Kalyn Ponga has worryingly handled concussion issues once more this season, which has pressured him to overlook 5 video games and journey to Canada for superior neurological testing. Barring additional damage, he’ll get 4 video games earlier than the Origin squad is introduced to strut his stuff and show he’s prepared. Ponga has delivered virtually each time he pulls on the Maroons jersey. He has runs on the board at this degree, which provides him an edge over Walsh, who has been nothing wanting sensible for the high-flying Broncos this season. As of the tip of Round 9, he’s close to the highest of the league in attempt assists and line break assists. His attacking prowess withstanding, Walsh has measured up in defence as effectively, proving that a part of his recreation received’t hinder him or Queensland within the high-pressure Origin atmosphere if he was to get his probability. Titans fullback AJ Brimson suffered his second hamstring damage of the season in Round 9 and is predicted to overlook some extra time. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been taking part in lights out for the plucky Dolphins, but it surely’s arduous to think about him beginning over Walsh or Ponga at fullback. More on him under.
Verdict: Kalyn Ponga
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WING
Incumbent: Selwyn Cobbo (recreation I, II and III), Xavier Coates (recreation I), Murray Taulagi (recreation II), Corey Oates (recreation III)
In the combo: Cobbo, Coates, Taulagi, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Analysis:Cobbo confirmed final 12 months that he belonged within the Origin area and was the one winger to begin all three video games, though he did go off early in a brutal Game III. He’s bulked up this season and is arguably going higher than he was this time final 12 months. He’s averaging 144 metres per recreation over the primary 9 rounds, is protected beneath the excessive ball and is proving an actual handful for opposition sides, operating with the punch and energy of a ahead. He is vulnerable to an error or two however that may typically be put all the way down to youthful exuberence and attempting to do an excessive amount of. He is the plain selection on one flank. The race for the alternative wing place is a bit murkier. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has given himself each probability for choice after some electrical type for the Dolphins this season, incomes himself a brand new contract extension via to the tip of 2027. He’s additionally been examined at this degree earlier than, scoring a attempt to assist save a New South Wales whitewash in Game III of 2021, his sole begin to date. Murray Taulagi has been tried and examined at this degree, and has dealt with the event with aplomb. He could lack the X-factor that his previous Cowboys teammate Tabuai-Fidow possesses. Xavier Coates might have an edge contemplating Slater named him as Game I starter in 2022 however he suffered an ankle damage and missed the subsequent two months. He’ll be one of many unfortunate ones if he had been to overlook out. Corey Oates, who began on the wing in final 12 months’s decider, received’t characteristic in Game I after being dominated out for a month with a knee damage.
Verdict: Selwyn Cobbo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
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CENTRE
Incumbent: Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai
In the combo: Holmes, Gagai, Tabuai-Fidow
Analysis: Despite a shaky begin for the Cowboys this season, Holmes ought to be one of many first picked for the Maroons because of his repute as a giant recreation participant. Slater and Queensland followers ought to have faith in Holmes to ship and his elite goalkicking is a helpful asset as effectively. Gagai is likely one of the most skilled Origin gamers within the NRL and as a rule leaves his mark, for the nice, on this area. At membership degree, he’s having one in all his higher seasons. Additionally, the Queensland centre shares aren’t precisely lined with depth. Perhaps Slater picks Tabuai-Fidow within the centres and Coates on the wing, but it surely’s unlikely so we’re anticipating the loyal Queensland brass go together with Holmes and Gagai
Verdict: Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai.
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HALVES
Incumbent: Daly Cherry-Evans, Cam Munster (Game I and II), Tom Dearden (Game III)
In the combo: Cherry-Evans, Munster
Analysis: Probably the simplest resolution Slater must make would be the halves pairing.
Cameron Munster has bought the sport excellent for Origin and is all the time one of many extra threatening gamers on the park every time Queensland and New South Wales collide. He’s a walk-up starter. Daly Cherry-Evans will likely be amassing his twentieth cap for the Maroons when he runs onto Adelaide Oval for Game I. The 34-year-old has been a gentle head for a while now, and is about to characterize his state for at the least a pair extra years.
Verdict: Cameron Munster (five-eighth), Daly Cherry-Evans (halfback)
PROP
Incumbent: Josh Papalii (Game I, II and III), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Game I – performed Game II and II at lock), Lindsay Collins (Game II and III).
In the combo: Papalii, Fa’asuamaleaui, Collins, Jai Arrow, Tom Flegler, Tom Gilbert
Analysis: After lacking the primary three video games via damage and a sluggish begin to the season when he did return, Josh Papalii has been one of many Green Machine’s finest throughout their three-game successful streak. In simply 52 minutes in Round 9, Papalii recorded 178 operating metres and 26 tackles. His expertise on this area is priceless and he’s a participant that his teammates love taking part in for. He’ll begin and play a really impactful 30-40 minutes. Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui seems to be a certain starter on the again of some constant type for the Gold Coast. He began in all three video games final 12 months. Lindsay Collins began the ultimate two video games of final 12 months’s collection, however was knocked out early of a brutal Game III. The Australian rep is once more having season for the Roosters and all the time measures up in Origin. Jai Arrow is a dependable performer for the Maroons, and we predict he’ll edge Reuben Cotter for a spot on the bench. Tom Gilbert made his Origin debut within the decider final 12 months and performed 78 minutes off the bench after Cobbo and Collins left the sport very early. The event wasn’t too huge for him and after a robust begin for the Dolphins, he’s in competition right here. In any case, we’ll see loads of him on this stage within the coming years. Likewise the fiery Tom Flegler, who got here off the bench in a Maroons Game III win in 2021.
Verdict: Josh Papalii, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Lindsay Collins (off the bench), Jai Arrow (off the bench).
HOOKER
Incumbent: Ben Hunt
In the combo: Hunt, Harry Grant
Analysis: The Dragons could also be struggling, however Ben Hunt has been one of many uncommon shining lights for the Red V. He has began at hooker in Queensland’s final 4 matches, with the Maroons successful three of these. We assume he’ll run on with the quantity 9 on his again with Storm rake Harry Grant to return off the pine. Grant’s been super for Melbourne this 12 months and finds himself close to the highest of the Dally M leaderboard. The Hunt-Grant mixture that induced New South Wales many complications in 2022 in addition to Australia’s foes within the World Cup will likely be lining up in all three video games this Origin, barring disaster.
Verdict: Ben Hunt, Harry Grant (off the bench).
SECOND ROW
Incumbent: Kurt Capewell (Game I, II, III), Felise Kaufusi (Game I, II), Jeremiah Nanai (Game III)
In the combo: Capewell, Kaufusi, Fifita, Nanai* (suspended)
Analysis: Considering his constant type for the Maroons over the previous three years and the loyalty you might be afforded taking part in for Queensland, Kurt Capewell seems to be a fairly protected wager to retain his spot. His type in clubland hasn’t tapered off this season, scoring 4 tries for the top-of-the-table Broncos. His operating mate for Game I looms as a more durable resolution for Billy Slater. Felise Kaufusi was one of many in-form gamers of the competitors earlier than he missed 4 video games via suspension. He’s not often let Queensland down every time he’s donned the Maroons jersey. His ferocious hitting and aggression lends itself effectively for the Origin area. David Fifita is arguably in profession finest type for the Titans, so don’t be stunned to see tre $1.2m man handed a beginning jersey. However, we’re anticipating Slater to present him a spot on the bench so he can play excessive impression minutes within the second half and terrorise some drained NSW our bodies. Jeremiah Nanai hasn’t been setting the world on fireplace for the Cowboys this season and his suspension for a hip drop guidelines him out of Game I anyway.
Verdict: Kurt Capewell, Felise Kaufusi, David Fifita (off the bench).
LOCK
Incumbent: Reuben Cotter (Game I), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Game II), Pat Carrigan (Game III)
In the combo: Carrigan, J’maine Hopgood, Cotter
Analysis: Broncos lock Pat Carrigan tasted Origin for the primary time in 2022, and he didn’t let the event get too huge for him, successful the Wally Lewis Medal for the participant of the collection. That was even after starting the primary two video games of the collection on the bench. That received’t be taking place this 12 months, with the 25-year-old anticipated to begin in all three video games. J’maine Hopgood has been one of the crucial improved gamers within the recreation this season however its unlikely he’ll characteristic in Game I. Reuben Cotter will likely be thought-about for a bench function, regardless of lacking a number of video games with damage this season. He began within the Game I win final 12 months, taking part in 80 minutes and main the Maroons in tackles (51).
Verdict: Pat Carrigan
PREDICTED QLD TEAM
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Dane Gagai
5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
9. Ben Hunt
10. Josh Papalii
11. Kurt Capewell.
12. Felise Kaufusi
13. Patrick Carrigan
INTERCHANGE
Harry Grant, David Fifita, Lindsay Collins, Jai Arrow.
18TH MAN
Reuben Cotter
Source: www.foxsports.com.au