Queensland loyalty is dead after cull ahead of State of Origin II

AH Queensland, the state that claimed they invented pick and stick has instead sliced and diced its State of Origin team after just one defeat. PHIL ROTHFIELD ANALYSIS.

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THE state that claimed they invented pick and stick has instead sliced and diced.

There is blood on the floor at the offices of the QRL for the first time.

For years King Wally, Fatty and Alf have been bagging us for our apparent lack of loyalty.

It didn’t matter that we won just one series in 11 years and that coaches/selectors/advisers had no choice but to look at alternative options.

No, we didn’t know the meaning of the word loyalty.

Now Queensland has done exactly what they’ve been bagging us for.

We found these quotes from Mal Meninga in his final years as coach of the Maroons.

“Origin for Queenslanders remains a real family-oriented approach,” he said, “We embrace each other, work for each other and support each other no matter what.

Sam Thaiday could have played his last game for Queensland. Pic Peter Wallis

“Part of that is sticking by the players that have done the job for us in the past.

It is the way Queensland has always done it, and history has shown that — even when players may not be in the best of form at club level — they are re-energised and can find another gear when they come into that family environment in Origin.

“I am a big believer in loyalty. I like to think that it is harder to get out of the Queensland team than it is to get in it. The players that are proven performers for us deserve that loyalty and respect.”

Wow. Too bad that didn’t apply to Sammy Thaiday or Corey Oates.

Thaiday has been in the Maroons side since 2006. He’s played Origin 29 times.

And Oates … he was one of Queensland’s best players in the opening game at Suncorp two weeks ago.

What this shows is the loyalty line they’ve been trotting out for more than a decade is in fact rubbish.

Corey Oates has been dropped from the Queensland team.

The same with Billy Slater in game one. The greatest fullback we’ve ever seen.

First wore a Maroons jersey in 2004. Played 27 Origin games. Absolute Queensland legend but counted for nothing in the selection rooms three weeks ago.

It’s easy to be loyal when you keep winning.

St George was loyal to their great players when they won 11 premiership in a row.

I am a big believer in loyalty. I like to think that it is harder to get out of the Queensland team than it is to get in it. The players that are proven performers for us deserve that loyalty and respect.

The team sheet was the same every Tuesday night, barring injuries.

Melbourne Storm has been loyal to their players because they’ve been the most consistent team in the competition in the modern era.

So much for Mal Meninga and Queensland’s commitment to loyalty. Pics Adam Head

Although the Maroons like to think they invented it, the true meaning of the word loyalty in rugby league is winning.

That’s why Laurie Daley will go with the same 17 players. They are winners.

The mass sackings for Origin II at ANZ Stadium is proof that Queensland, despite all the talk over the years, are exactly the same as us.

You a pick and stick with winners but slice and dice the losers.

Queensland Team

Darius Boyd

Will Chambers

Gavin Cooper

Cooper Cronk

Dane Gagai

Matt Gillett

Tim Glasby

Coen Hess

Valentine Holmes

Josh McGuire

Michael Morgan

Dylan Napa

Josh Papalii

Billy Slater

Cameron Smith

Johnathan Thurston

Jarrod Wallace