Mal Meninga: Brute force the key ingredient to put Blues on back foot in State of Origin opener

QUEENSLAND'S State of Origin team selection operates on a "horses for courses" approach - and that is why a number of balls are still in the air.

Paul Gallen

QUEENSLAND'S State of Origin team selection operates on a "horses for courses" approach - and that is why a number of balls are still in the air as far as the make-up of the final 17 Maroons for Origin I on Wednesday week.

Obviously form and loyalty are the biggest factors when choosing any Queensland team, and they will be again as the selectors and I finalise the team over the next two days.

But from a Queensland point of view, picking a team for Game 1 of the series requires a different thought process that it does for teams for Games 2 and 3.

Similarly, playing away at ANZ Stadium may mean that we pick a different team to one that we feel would be better suited to playing at Suncorp Stadium.

There is no doubt that the venue plays a part in team selection.

You have to choose a team that can handle the situation, the style of game, the balance of the team and their suitability to the on-field conditions.

Looking at the situation in front of us for Game I, we have the opening game of the series against opponents riding high on confidence after a good campaign last season, and the introduction of fresh ideas and enthusiasm with their new coach in Laurie Daley.

For this, we would be best served by avoiding too many changes, limiting the number of players operating under the pressure of an Origin debut, strengthening ourselves with well-established combinations, and relying on individuals who know what it takes to win these types of matches.

The style of game also has a bearing on who gets selected.

Being the first game of the series, we know what to expect - it will be tough, very physical, and more of a grind compared to the more open and free-flowing styles that usually define Games 2 and 3.

So we will build our team structure around those requirements.

We will be looking less for footwork and off-loading ability, and more for players who can bring the physicality, aggression and endurance we will need to absorb pressure and defend the line until the 80th minute.

This will in turn impact on the balance of the team. There is no point picking 17 second-rowers who can tackle for 80 minutes.

We still need to score points. We still need to win territory; we still need speed, evasion and tactical kicking. But how much of each is the delicate balance.

The same goes with handling the conditions at ANZ Stadium.

The playing surface can be slick and slippery, and we have seen Queensland teams in the past come unstuck through NSW exploiting the conditions by targeting bigger, less agile players.

Obviously, our recent record in Sydney has not been as brilliant as we would have liked, so we also need to change how we prepare for these matches.

This year, we will have a greater focus on player welfare, ensuring every player is as close to his peak physically and mentally as can be managed before the hard work of preparation begins.

We will also take the opportunity to fly to Sydney earlier this year.

I think in the past few years we have unnecessarily added to the pressure of Sydney Origin games by flying in late to Sydney, and then having to rush travel to the hotel and training sessions to make up for the short timeframe.

So while you may think picking a Queensland team is the easiest job in the world, spare a thought for the selectors this weekend.

A lot of preparation goes into making things look easy, and picking a team to make Queensland proud is a job that we take very seriously.

THE Ben Te'o situation is obviously another issue in front of selectors this weekend.

But my view on the situation remains unchanged - until he is found guilty of something, or stood down by his club or the NRL, then he is available to be selected.

Sports stars are not entitled to preferential treatment in this country, but nor should they be denied the right to the presumption of innocence that is afforded to every other Australian simply because they are engaged in a high-profile profession.

I have not spoken to Ben about it, but I have spoken to the people at his club and I was greatly reassured by what they had to say.

Souths coach Michael Maguire is a person that I have a lot of respect for, and he and I share similar sentiments about Ben.

Michael and the South Sydney club were satisfied by Ben's explanation and version of events, and the quality of people at that club makes me confident in backing their judgement. This situation obviously remains active, and a formal complaint has been made to police.

A number of people have expressed an opinion that we should not gamble on Ben's selection, should the circumstances shift again and Ben be made unavailable.

It is a gamble I am willing to take.

I know that Ben will not allow outside events to distract him from his role or allow it to impact on the team's performance.

He and the team around him are mature enough to deal with things if circumstances change.