Shocks as Kevin Walters names Queensland team for 2018 State of Origin series opener
QUEENSLAND’S best prop of the past decade will be a shock omission from the Maroons team unveiled by coach Kevin Walters — and the surprises don’t end there.
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QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters has dropped a selection bombshell by sensationally axing the Maroons’ best prop of the past decade — Cowboys enforcer Matt Scott — for Origin I.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Scott will be a shock omission from the Queensland team named on Monday for the series opener against New South Wales at the MCG on Wednesday week.
And the changing of the guard has continued with Queensland hierarchy also dumping veteran Darius Boyd in a move that could signal the end of the Broncos skipper’s Origin career.
The snubbing of Scott and Boyd robs the Maroons of 50 games of Origin experience and leaves a gaping leadership void following the departures of Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
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It is understood Scott’s demise is not related to his grade-one shoulder charge offence, with the Cowboys indicating on Sunday night they are likely to fight the charge at the NRL judiciary.
A veteran of 22 Origin matches, Scott missed last year’s series due to a knee reconstruction, but was expected to be one of the first picked after Walters said six weeks ago the Cowboys prop was safe.
But Walters has backflipped on his comeback plan for Scott, who has struggled to dominate in the midfield and is clearly a victim of North Queensland’s dismal start to the season.
The Courier-Mail understands Dylan Napa and Jarrod Wallace will be Queensland’s starting props. Bronco Josh McGuire will return from injury at lock and Andrew McCullough will debut at hooker, with Gavin Cooper and Felise Kaufusi tipped to snare back-row spots.
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Scott’s Cowboys teammate Michael Morgan has clinched the utility spot, while Titans rookie Jai Arrow, Josh Papalii and North Queensland hulk Coen Hess are expected to round out the bench.
In the backline, the most contentious position — the left-wing spot — has been claimed by Valentine Holmes, who rammed home his incumbency with a hat-trick in Cronulla’s 48-10 drubbing of Newcastle today.
Holmes’ retention is a hammer blow for Boyd, who may have played his last State of Origin game — just 12 months after starting in the Queensland No. 1 jumper in last year’s series opener.
Boyd has scored 17 tries for Queensland, mostly on the left wing, since his 2008 debut, but Walters could not look past the youth, speed and potential of Test flyer Holmes.
Holmes featured on Queensland’s left wing last year and scored three tries in the series-deciding victory against NSW at Suncorp Stadium.
Boyd missed last year’s decider with a broken thumb and it is likely he could only earn a recall at fullback if Billy Slater (hamstring) is ruled out.
Maroons legend Gorden Tallis said axing Boyd was the right decision.
“Val’s young,” he said.
“He scored three tries last year (in Game Three) and Gagai was the Wally Lewis medallist, he’s proven at that level.
“Val Holmes is a better winger than Darius. If Billy goes down, Darius comes in and plays fullback.
“As winger, Darius went there because we were lacking wingers.
“We’ve been very loyal, he has played 28 games.
“You can be loyal but you can’t be stupid.”
POSSIBLE QUEENSLAND TEAM FOR STATE OF ORIGIN I
1 Billy Slater
2 Valentine Holmes
3 Greg Inglis (c)
4 Will Chambers
5 Dane Gagai
6 Cameron Munster
7 Ben Hunt
8 Jarrod Wallace
9 Andrew McCullough
10 Dylan Napa
11 Gavin Cooper
12 Felise Kaufusi
13 Josh McGuire
14 Michael Morgan
15 Josh Papalii
16 Jai Arrow
17 Coen Hess
18 Joe Ofahengaue
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