Broncos set for battle with Maroons over selection of Anthony Milford for State of Origin I

AN Origin selection battle is brewing over Anthony Milford’s potential selection in the Queensland side for the series opener.

Anthony Milford at Broncos training at Red Hill. Pic Annette Dew

AN Origin selection war is brewing over Anthony Milford with Wayne Bennett sensationally moving to block his Broncos ace being selected in an extended Queensland squad.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Bennett is on a collision course with Queensland coach Kevin Walters over plans for Milford to be part of Camp Maroon for the series opener on Wednesday week.

The Queensland team for Origin I is named Monday and it was Walters’ intention to include Milford in an extended 19 or 20-man squad as the Maroons sweat on the fitness of Johnathan Thurston.

But Broncos coach Bennett has rocked Queensland hierarchy by making it clear he will not release Milford unless he is guaranteed selection in the Maroons’ starting 17 for Origin I.

Will Milford play for Queensland?

Bennett is bracing to lose five Broncos to Origin duty for Saturday week’s road trip to New Zealand to face the Warriors — Darius Boyd, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire and Corey Oates.

With his squad set to be ripped apart, Bennett has no interest in releasing his most dangerous attacking player unless Milford is a Maroons certainty.

Bennett’s hard line stance has major ramifications for Queensland’s selection plans. Michael Morgan is on standby for Thurston (shoulder) at five-eighth and Walters rates Milford a frontline contender to make his Origin debut as Queensland’s No. 14 utility.

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But Bennett, a former Maroons coach, says he won’t risk any further disruption to the Broncos as Queensland attempt to buy time for Thurston to recover in time for Origin I.

“Just because Queensland can’t make a decision on Thurston, that’s not my problem,” Bennett said.

“If they want to pick Anthony in their 17, that’s fine, he will be with Queensland, but if he’s not, he’s coming to New Zealand with the Broncos.

“We’ve got a big game to play against the Warriors without our Origin guys and I’m not going to release Anthony to socialise for three or four days in (Origin) camp.

“I’m happy to let him go after we play, but if he’s not in their starting 17, then he will spend the week training with the Broncos.”

The Broncos five-eighth is a contender to replace Johnathan Thurston.

Walters could feasibly summon Milford into Camp Maroon after the Broncos-Warriors clash, but that would give the Brisbane pivot just three days to prepare for his Origin debut.

The Milford selection saga opens the door for Melbourne young gun Cameron Munster.

The Storm have the bye next week, clearing the path for Munster to be part of Queensland’s extended squad with a view to an Origin baptism if Thurston is ruled out.

Daly Cherry-Evans is another utility option, but it is understood Milford and Munster are ahead of the Manly skipper in the selection pecking order.

Milford respects Bennett’s stance, saying his focus is helping the Broncos through a traditionally turbulent Origin period.

“I’d love to play Origin, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t, but first and foremost, it’s for the Broncos and I want to play my best footy during the Origin period,” he said.

“It’s a tough period for the club and I want to get the Broncos through that.”