Queensland Maroons: Kevin Walters’ only choice for starting halves

MAROONS coach Kevin Walters can’t afford to have the blindfold over his eyes when picking the side for Origin I – and his selections for the starting halves should be simple, writes PETER BADEL.

Queensland Maroons coach Kevin Walters. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

THERE is a critical distinction between loyalty and blind loyalty.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters can’t afford to have the blindfold over his eyes when, in 26 days, he sits down with selectors to pick the Maroons’ side for State of Origin I.

The spluttering form of Cowboys star Michael Morgan this year shapes as the ultimate test of Walters’ faith – and the past selection blunders the coach must take heed of to stave off a NSW uprising.

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On form alone, Morgan would not be picked for Origin I on June 6 at the MCG.

Not with Cameron Munster and Ben Hunt in supreme form in the halves, not at a time when Newcastle sensation Kalyn Ponga has an argument for an Origin debut off the interchange following his sizzling start at the Knights.

Queensland are famed for their loyalty, historically backing out-of-sorts stars to find an extra gear the minute they wear maroon, but last year the pick-and-stick mentality almost blew up in Walters’ face.

The trick is knowing when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em.

The coach held on one game too long.

Michael Morgan at Cowboys training. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Walters rolled the dice with too many out-of-form players for Origin I last year and walked away with a selection black eye that forced a serious evaluation, and implementation, of Queensland’s succession plan.

There was outrage over Melbourne star Billy Slater’s omission for the 2017 series opener but the problem was always bigger than one man.

In reality, the Maroons made FIVE selection gaffes.

Walters, a compassionate man by nature, had been too loyal for his own good.

Cowboys centre Justin O’Neill was in terrible form but survived on incumbency.

Aidan Guerra, Sam Thaiday and Jacob Lillyman were below-par at club level but Walters held his nerve.

So, too, with Nate Myles, the inspirational Maroons prop who was languishing on the Manly bench, only for Walters to pitchfork him into the Queensland engine room for one final Origin campaign.

The result? A 28-4 hammering – Queensland’s biggest loss in Origin history at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

That Walters was able to turn one of Queensland’s darkest moments into another series triumph – 2-1 – was as much a tribute to his courage to enact change as the lack of self-belief that has scarred the Blues for a decade.

Kalyn Ponga is in brilliant form. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

However, there can be no selection slip-ups this time. Queensland have lost their scrumbase heartbeat in Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.

The Blues are cultivating a potent mix of youth and experience in the likes of Tyson Frizell, Jake and Tom Trbojevic, Nathan Cleary and captain Boyd Cordner.

Walters must be wary of pinning his colours to the mast with too many misfiring stars.

Last month he guaranteed Greg Inglis and Matt Scott selection for Origin I. Both are Queensland champions.

They are also both on the comeback trail from knee reconstructions. Inglis is showing signs of rejuvenation, but Scott is struggling for dominance in a Cowboys team horrendously out of form.

In pre-season, Morgan – Australia’s incumbent five-eighth – was considered a certainty for the Queensland scrumbase, only for an abdominal injury to trigger a nightmare start that has stripped him of all confidence.

It would be foolish to dismiss Morgan but he can no longer be an automatic selection for the Maroons.

Ben Hunt. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Cameron Munster. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Munster and Hunt must be Queensland’s starting halves, a scenario that would leave Morgan to stave off the in-form Ponga for a place on Queensland’s bench.

Whether Kevvie chooses to roll the dice with the Maroons’ blindfold on could make or break the greatest dynasty in Origin history.