Crash Craddock: The two ‘invisible men’ Queensland coach Billy Slater must consider for Origin III

There are a pair of Titans that should be given strong consideration for a spot in the Maroons’ team for the decider, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

If Billy Slater cannot convince himself Selwyn Cobbo is ready for a State of Origin recall it’s time to have a look at two underrated Titans.

The Titans best players often don’t get the plaudits they deserve because their team rarely shakes the rugby league tree but Phil Sami and Alofiana Khan-Pereira are one of the best wing combinations in the premiership.

And with Xavier Coates out of Origin III with a hamstring injury there is a crucial vacancy which must be filled.

Khan-Pereira, the equal leading NRL try scorer this season with 14, would be a sensation if he played with a leading team while Sami has the uncanny ability to find space where there appears none.

Sami played two Origin games four years ago and his second and final match was a poor one. He has improved since then and should not be underestimated. Both are worth deep consideration.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira is the NRL’s leading tryscorer. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

FADING FORCE

The Broncos biggest fans – the bookies – are starting to lose faith in their premiership chances.

Following a fourth successive loss the Broncos have eased to $10 in premiership betting behind Penrith ($3), the Roosters ($4.75) and Melbourne ($4.75).

At one stage Brisbane was a firm second favourite behind the Panthers.

The Broncos still seem short at $10. If history is any guide they will have to win six of their last nine games just to make eight, never mind win the competition.

The Broncos are likely to have a post Origin surge but have slipped into mediocrity with a form slump that has left them two points behind the Dragons and just two ahead of South Sydney who sacked their coach Jason Demetriou so poor was their early season form.

LAST CHANCE SALOON

Is there any person in sport more committed than a rugby league player playing for his last contract?

The Broncos have told 34-year-old Marty Taupau he will not be part of their plans next season so every bit of exposure is crucial for him to audition for a job elsewhere.

With the Broncos sustaining two serious injuries to their forwards, Taupau did extremely well against the Warriors to make 140 running metres – including 50 post contact – and 20 tackles.

There’s a bit of life in the old fella yet ...

HALF A CHANCE

The Broncos need to settle on their next Adam Reynolds. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Broncos have made a string of big name retentions in the contract wars but unless they make one crucial one none of it really matters.

The club needs to work out the identity of its next halfback when Adam Reynolds retires at the end of next season.

Maybe its boom youngster Coby Black, the 18-year-old who is playing for Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup. Maybe it’s Jock Madden but probably not.

But what is certain is that premiership halves are hard to find, particularly those with the leadership ability of the likes of Reynolds and Allan Langer.

Natural leaders are hard to find these days. Most modern players are slaves to statistics which tell them if they are fit enough, strong enough, doing enough tackles or making enough runs.

But leadership is something which cannot be measured by numbers. Maybe that’s why not a lot of people want to do it or are very good at it.

Originally published as Crash Craddock: The two ‘invisible men’ Queensland coach Billy Slater must consider for Origin III