Queensland coach Kevin Walters backs Roosters forward Aidan Guerra for Maroons

QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters has given Aidan Guerra his selection backing amid fears the Roosters forward could be axed by the Maroons for Origin I.

Guerra has been inconsistent for the Roosters so far. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters has given Aidan Guerra his selection backing amid fears the Roosters forward could be axed by the Maroons for Origin I.

Guerra will press his Maroons selection claims on Thursday night when he squares off against Brisbane’s posse of Origin forwards — Sam Thaiday, Josh McGuire and Matt Gillett — at Suncorp Stadium.

The 29-year-old has attracted criticism over his form in the opening five rounds of the premiership.

Guerra has failed to score a try or make a line break this season and he struggled for impact in round two, making two errors and amassing 55m in his side’s defeat of the Bulldogs. But the Maroons back-rower was a shining light in last week’s 18-12 loss to Manly, making 33 tackles and running for 131m — his best numbers this season.

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Guerra has been inconsistent for the Roosters so far. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

The back-row is Queensland’s most contentious area this year, with Josh Papalii, Gavin Cooper, Josh McGuire, Ethan Lowe and Coen Hess all vying for berths on the forward fringes.

Guerra can make a statement against a big-name Broncos pack and Walters dismissed suggestions the rangy Rooster is in the firing line.

“I have no concerns at all with Aidan,” Walters said. “Everyone is striving to get better all the time and I’m seeing that in Aidan’s game.

“Aidan is doing some good things and starting in the Roosters team has been good for him. I’ve actually been impressed with what he has been doing — I’m not disappointed at all.

“To be honest, I think Guerra is playing better this year than he was at this time last year.

“He has been a great player for Queensland the last few years, so he just has to keep getting better. If he does that it won’t just help him and the Roosters, it will benefit Queensland.”

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Guerra has become a key member of the Maroons, having played nine consecutive Origin games in the past three series. He played all three games off the bench last season in Walters’ maiden year in charge.

Broncos and Queensland centre great Steve Renouf believes Guerra must be picked for Origin I, but he urged the Roosters forward to take his game to the next level.

“Out of all the Queensland forwards, Aidan needs to lift his game,” Renouf said. “He is being overshadowed by some bigger names at the Roosters.

“They do have a big strong pack, so I would like to see Aidan come up to Brisbane and have a blinder.

“I think Guerra should be in the Queensland team — he has been there, done that — but he definitely needs to lift for Origin. It would be nice to see him having a few dominant games coming into Origin and the Broncos game is a good place to start.”