State of Origin 2021: The Queensland players fighting to retain their jerseys for Game Two
The Maroons are on notice this weekend with up to six Queensland players in danger of losing their State of Origin jerseys for Game Two.
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The Maroons are on notice with up to six Queensland players auditioning to save their State of Origin jerseys this weekend.
Queensland coach Paul Green and his selection panel will be scrutinising every eligible Maroons player this round in the wake of last week’s 50-6 loss to NSW in the disastrous Townsville series-opener.
The Maroons will host Game Two at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday week, with this weekend’s round of NRL games the final audition before Green names his squad on Monday.
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Green will convene with selectors Gene Miles, Darren Lockyer and Billy Slater on Sunday night to pick a team they believe can beat the Blues and keep the series alive.
And there is likely to be changes to the 17 that suffered Queensland’s worst loss in Origin’s 41-year history after being torn apart by Blues stars Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic.
The likes of Xavier Coates, Kyle Feldt, Kurt Capewell, AJ Brimson, Jaydn Su’A and Joe Ofahengaue are not certain selections for Game Two.
The Maroons will be boosted by the return of Test prop Josh Papalii from suspension while fullback Kalyn Ponga will come into the selection mix if he returns from a groin injury for Newcastle.
Melbourne prop Christian Welch is recovering well from a Game One concussion and on track to face the Tigers on Saturday night.
Maroons powerbrokers will also consider bringing in some fresh faces after Queensland was comprehensively outplayed in Townsville.
Dragons utility Ben Hunt is in the selection frame along with Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo and Cowboys speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Warriors rookie sensation Reece Walsh has been touted as a potential bolter while Dragons prop Josh Kerr was in Queensland’s squad last year. Other potential new faces include forwards Coen Hess and Jarrod Wallace along with veteran centre Will Chambers.
The Maroons were criticised for carrying underdone and injured players into the Origin arena like Harry Grant (hamstring), Cameron Munster (foot), Dane Gagai (tonsillitis) and Brimson (knee).
But Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher backed the Maroons’ brains trust to get it right for Game Two with the series on the line.
“I’m happy with our selectors – I don’t think I could tell any of them how to play the game, they’ve all had great experience,” he said.
“That’s a classic case of trying to put your best players on the field. In many cases, your best player with a slight injury is better than your second-best who hasn’t got an injury.
“The reality was, once that game started to get away from us, it showed a little bit about a couple of players being underdone. Not having a bad attitude, but exerting themselves and being half-a-run short.
“I don’t think a critical assessment is relevant. They all know what they did and didn’t do. The coach is very experienced and I’m comfortable he’s got their attention.
“Hopefully we don’t have any further injuries and the guys that represented us last time come back fully fit and prove they’re better than that.
“You’re foolish to judge an Origin series on one game. We had a blowout last year in Game Two (34-10 loss).
“These guys have got plenty of talent. I’ve got faith the coach and players can deliver.”
In the aftermath of the Game One thrashing, Green admitted Queensland’s preparation wasn’t up to standard and they were blown off the park in the midfield battle.
The first-year Origin coach said he had a better understanding of where Queensland had to improve and the Maroons would hit the ground running for Game Two.
“I can’t say I’m happy with my own performance when we lose 50-6,” Green said. “I will be better for it. I have a better feel for the group.
“We have to move on from that game because nothing has changed for us. We still have to win two games out of three and there is no for-and-against in Origin.
“We have to move past that, we are down 1-0 in a three-game series, but there are some areas where we obviously have to improve.
“We know we are better than what we showed. We just didn’t get ourselves into the game, we tried to pass our way out of trouble at times, which was just doubling down on the problem.
“They beat us at the ruck, they got out of the blocks good and we didn’t, they had some good line speed and you only have to look at the running metres.
“It will be good to have Josh (Papalii) back, he knows what it’s all about at Origin level, so that’s where we have to stiffen up, through the middle.”
The young gun who could turn Origin on its head
By Peter Badel and Robert Craddock
NRL whizkid Reece Walsh says he would relish an Origin baptism and has vowed not to fail Queensland coach Paul Green if handed a shock debut to help the Maroons save the series.
Green is considering introducing some fresh blood in the wake of Queensland’s 50-6 debacle in Origin I and Maroons hierarchy are watching Walsh closely in the wake of his stunning entry to the NRL.
The 18-year-old has played just six NRL games but his flair, confidence and attacking spark could be the X-factor the Maroons crave as they look to hit back in Origin II at Suncorp Stadium on June 27.
It is understood Green is mulling over Warriors sensation Walsh as a super-sub off interchange amid concerns over AJ Brimson (knee), or even as a possible starter at fullback if Kalyn Ponga fails to prove his fitness with a groin injury.
Should Walsh be handed a Maroons jumper, he would be Queensland’s most inexperienced debutant in 26 years after Ben Ikin, who had played just four first-grade games when he was selected during the 1995 Super League war.
The former Broncos young gun has had no problems adapting to the speed and toughness of the NRL and says he will give Green everything he has got if Maroons selectors roll the selection dice for Origin II.
“It would be crazy to put on the Queensland jersey at senior level,” Walsh said.
“It would mean everything for myself and my family (to make his Origin debut).
“I would love to go out and represent my state and family and do it for them and the people who have done it in the past.
“I wouldn’t let Queensland down ... I would have a crack.”
Ikin feels Walsh’s career is on an “Origin trajectory’’ and likes his confident style.
“Based on what I have seen he certainly has the skills and toughness to give Origin a red hot crack,’’ Ikin said.
“Most will tell you don’t find out whether you are an Origin player until you get opportunity.
“But his confidence is there for all to see. He never waits for the game. Like some other young guys like Sam Walker and Josh Shuster he seems to have brought confidence from lower grades into the NRL.
“Almost from the moment got a start with the Warriors he showed first grade was not beyond him and he has continued to improve. He is on an Origin trajectory.’’
Former Queensland Origin lock Scott Sattler first saw Walsh as a 15-year-old and likens the teenage flyer to Storm icon Billy Slater. Sattler isn’t sure if Queensland will pick Walsh but believes the Warriors attacking weapon has the self-belief to take on the Blues.
“It would be a big call to pick him in Origin, but Reece is a confident kid. He wouldn’t be intimidated,” Sattler said.
“He is the closest thing I have seen to Billy Slater.
“I first saw Reece playing for Keebra Park when he was 15. He just had this beautiful deception and awareness for the game.
“He didn’t mind contact and he covers a lot of territory at the back. Returning the ball, he would pick up top speed in three or four metres.”
Former Test fullback Gary Belcher greatly admires Walsh but has warned about the special challenges of the role.
“I would probably prefer to see him off the bench where you could ease him in to it and, if there were other good options, they might be able to hang on to him for a bit longer.
“It’s just that you can become exposed at fullback. Everything you do stands out.’’
‘It’s not in anyone’s best interests to have him play’
Warriors coach Nathan Brown has slammed suggestions Reece Walsh should be rushed into the Maroons squad as they look to revamp their attack in the wake of their record-breaking loss in Game One.
The wunderkind has been a revelation in attack with four tries and seven assists since he made his debut on Anzac Day, prompting calls for him to be thrown into the deep end for Game Two at Suncorp Stadium.
However, Brown – who was reluctant to let him play NRL so soon – says an Origin debut would be a huge mistake.
“It’s not in anyone’s best interests to put an 18-year-old kid in State of Origin that’s played five games of footy in the NRL and didn’t play last year because of Covid,” he said.
“I won’t make that decision. He might go out there and play well – I’m not saying he wouldn’t play well – but it’s certainly not in anyone’s best interests to have Reece at 18 in State of Origin, I don’t believe.”
Walsh missed his side’s heavy defeat to the Storm on Sunday due to suspension, and he could return in a new position after halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita went down with a season-ending pec injury.
The teenage sensation could return in the No.6 jersey which would push Kodi Nikorima to halfback, but Brown indicated Walsh could retain his spot at fullback with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck set to shift to the wing.
“We’ll sit down and have a look to see how the team will be next week,” he said.
“Sean O’Sullivan did a good job when he came in and he’s been doing a good job for Redcliffe in the Q-Cup. We’ve got Shaun who can be a direct replacement for Chanel.
“Reece was playing fullback and Roger was playing on the wing and that was working quite well for us, so we’ll try to keep it as similar as possible without making too many changes.”
Brown also confirmed the Warriors were in the market to replace Tigers-bound winger Ken Maumalo, with reports linking Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to the club.
“We’re certainly putting our feelers out there,” he said.
“We’ve got a fair list of backs who aren’t playing at the moment. We’re certainly looking at players, and his name was thrown up.”
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