Peter Badel’s Queensland team for State of Origin Game One
A former misfit as captain, two Origin debutants, a recall for a warhorse, the supersub, and wonder boy at fullback. PETER BADEL picks his side to face NSW on June 5.
Opinion
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Daly Cherry-Evans as captain, two Origin debutants in Kyle Feldt and Joe Ofahengaue, a recall for warhorse Matt Scott, Michael Morgan as the supersub and wonder boy Kalyn Ponga at fullback.
These are the key selections Queensland coach Kevin Walters must make on Monday for the Maroons to have any hope of reclaiming Origin supremacy from a NSW side plotting a dynasty of their own.
The Maroons have endured an injury-hit build-up to Origin I on Wednesday week but Queensland have one key ingredient that should give Walters supreme confidence — a formidable playmaking spine.
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Ponga has the brilliance to counter NSW custodian James Tedesco. Hunt has the ruck smarts to hold his own against Damien Cook. And while the Blues face the nightmare scenario of axing incumbent halves James Maloney and Nathan Cleary, Queensland possess scrumbase class in Cameron Munster and Cherry-Evans.
Cherry-Evans is racing the clock to prove his fitness with an ankle injury, but if he plays in Origin I — and Walters is confident he will — DCE is the man to skipper the Maroons into a new era of success.
Here’s the 17 troops Maroons powerbrokers must show faith in to bring the Origin shield back to the Sunshine State:
1. KALYN PONGA
Life after Billy Slater has never looked so good. Ponga’s five-eighth failure for Newcastle has been a bonanza for the Maroons. Special K has got his mojo back at fullback. That spells trouble for Fittler’s Blues.
2. COREY OATES
Only has to stay fit to be the first winger picked. Nine tries from 10 games this year and is averaging a whopping 160 metres. A crucial presence on kick returns operating as a seventh forward.
3. WILL CHAMBERS
Had a dreadful 2018 Origin campaign but his matchwinning try against the Tigers a fortnight ago is evidence of his class when in form. Will have a Latrell Mitchell voodoo doll in his lounge room.
4. DANE GAGAI
Has played nine of his 10 Origin games on the wing, but he played centre in last year’s dead rubber and deserves to stay there. Gagai has been in fine form for the Bunnies at centre and, critically, has improved his positional play and technical reads in defence.
5. KYLE FELDT
It’s time for Feldt to be blooded in Maroon. Has only been back two weeks from a groin injury but had a superb 2018 season in which he cut the fundamental errors out of his game. The 2015 grand final showed he revels on the big stage. A big body. He is ready.
6. CAMERON MUNSTER
One of the first men picked by Walters. A beautiful five-eighth who lifts for the code’s toughest arena. Has developed a handy kicking game this season which will make him even more potent.
7. DALY CHERRY-EVANS (c)
With each passing day, Cherry-Evans’ confidence of being fit grows. His sublime performance in Origin III last year is proof DCE is ready for a leadership post. The standout candidate for the captaincy.
8. MATT SCOTT
Bring back “Thumper”. Scott is not the player he used to be but the 33-year-old’s opening quarter stints this year have been impressive. The Maroons simply need a 22-game hardhead like Scott to absorb the early fireworks.
9. BEN HUNT
His 49-minute stint filling in for Andrew McCullough in Origin III last year showed he can handle dummy-half duties. Has the skill and guile to give the Maroons’ ruck variety.
10. JOSH PAPALII
Playing the most consistent football of his career. Has amassed 100 run metres or more in every game this season and charged for 164m against the Rabbitohs last week. Now a Maroons leader.
11. MATT GILLETT
Hasn’t been in career-best form but the Maroons need his 18-game experience. Gavin Cooper makes way for Gillett, who can handle being shifted from the right edge to the left.
12. FELISE KAUFUSI
Solid last year in his maiden Origin campaign and is playing very good football in a winning Storm team.
13. JOSH McGUIRE
The Maroons are sweating on McGuire’s battle with a calf injury. Won the Ron McAuliffe Medal in 2017 and is the defensive heartbeat of the side.
INTERCHANGE:
14. MICHAEL MORGAN
His patchy form at club level this year cannot be rewarded with a starting spot. Nevertheless, his class will shine in elite company. Few Maroons have his versatility.
15. JAI ARROW
The Maroons’ bench lacked impact last season and Arrow can solve that problem. The perfect option to inject for fresh metres and defensive aggression at the 20-minute mark.
16. DYLAN NAPA
Has been impressive since his return from injury. His size and aggression would be the perfect tonic to combat a potential Blues aggressor like Payne Haas.
17. JOE OFAHENGAUE
Deserves his debut. Averaging 129m per game this season and has 428 post-contact metres. The Maroons need fresh props and Smokin’ Joe is the future.
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