Broncos utility Matt Gillett set to have bigger impact for Maroons in Origin II

AFTER holding out the claims of an in-form Ben Barba, Matt Gillett's role in the Maroons team is set to increase dramatically in Origin II.

AFTER holding out the claims of an in-form Ben Barba, Matt Gillett's role in the Maroons team is set to increase dramatically in Origin II.

Gillett, the Maroons' bench weapon, was on the field for only 17 minutes in Queensland's 18-10 victory in Origin I.

But at least he fared better than dumped Blues utility Jamie Buhrer and Kangaroos utility Daly Cherry-Evans.

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Buhrer was given seven minutes of action by Ricky Stuart last month while Cherry-Evans did not even make it off the bench in April's Trans-Tasman Test.

Gillett will today be named in the Maroons team again, despite the irrepressible form of Barba, and Queensland chairman of selectors Des Morris said the Bribie Island junior would feature more prominently next Wednesday.

"It's ultimately Mal's (coach Mal Meninga) decision but I imagine Matt will spend a fair bit more time on the field," Morris said.

"It was always planned to ease him into Origin footy.

"He was good in game one and now he knows what Origin is like so I think his playing time will increase."

Queensland's bench utility last series, Cooper Cronk, played between 26 and 30 minutes each match and Gillett is likely to receive similar time.

Before Cronk, the regular utility was the-now AFL defector Karmichael Hunt, who played 50 minutes-plus most matches, often at lock.

But with the Maroons now having the luxury of 80-minute hooker in Cameron Smith, a re-modelled Sam Thaiday and workhorses Nate Myles and Ashley Harrison in the pack, the bench utility role has reduced.

Gillett said he would happily take one minute of game time in the second Origin match but was hoping for more action than he received in Origin I.

"I really enjoyed my time in the Origin camp and fingers crossed I get picked for Origin again," he said.

"If all goes to plan I would like to get more time."

Gillett will need to make an impact at ANZ Stadium because if Queensland lose, there will be calls for Bulldogs livewire Barba to be selected for extra attacking spark.

While his lack of versatility and size could cost him at the selection table, Barba's cover defence has caught the eye.

On Saturday night, he ran down South Sydney centre Dylan Farrell and forced the flyer's foot into touch in an incredible match-saving effort.