‘I’m not happy’: Paul Vautin criticises bold Billy Slater move, issues warning to Queensland

Queensland legend Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin isn’t happy with a bold move by Billy Slater that he fears might come back to bite the Maroons.

Paul Vautin and Billy Slater.

Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin has questioned Billy Slater’s decision to pick two backs on Queensland’s bench for next Wednesday’s State of Origin series opener.

The Maroons are chasing a hat-trick of series wins and victory this year would make it a perfect three triumphs in as many campaigns for Slater.

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Queensland’s coach has made the bold call to drop David Fifita, named Tom Dearden at five-eighth in place of the injured Cam Munster and picked J’maine Hopgood as the sole debutant.

Both NSW and Queensland named squads of 20 for Game 1, and Slater’s choice of two backs and two forwards on his bench has raised eyebrows.

Harry Grant has been named on the bench and will play crucial minutes as a hooker/utility in the No. 14 jersey, Hopgood and Moeaki Fotuaika are the two forwards, while Broncos back Selwyn Cobbo has also been named on the interchange.

Vautin, who played 22 games for Queensland, believes a forward would be a better use of a bench spot than a backline player like Cobbo.

“I’m not happy with the bench. I don’t understand why we’ve picked a winger-centre on the bench. I think we’re lacking another big forward,” Vautin told 4BC Radio.

Paul Vautin reckons a forward might be better on the bench than a back like Selwyn Cobbo.

“I don’t know who’s around, but one that comes to mind is Corey Jensen (Broncos prop). Felise Kaufusi is number 18 and I would have had him on the bench rather than Selwyn.

“I’m not a selector, I’m never going to be a selector but I’m also entitled to my own opinion. Forwards win Origin games. They do all the hard work.”

This season the NRL has witnessed countless games where teams fall apart and lose when a backline player goes down with injury early, and it appears Slater wants to avoid that scenario.

“I just don’t know how they’re going to get Selwyn into the game barring an injury, which we don’t want,” Vautin added.

“It’s a bit like NSW last year, they picked Nicho Hynes on the bench as a utility (in Game One).

“He’s a guy who played fullback and halfback and they put him on with 10 minutes to go in the centres. It looked like he didn’t even know where the centres were.

“We ran around him, scored a try and he got hammered for that, and so did ‘Freddy’ (Brad Fittler).

“The same could happen to Selwyn. I know he’s a big body but I think we’re one forward short on the bench.”

The Maroons have faith Billy Slater will get the balance right.

Vautin praised the selection of four forwards on NSW’s bench — Isaah Yeo, Spencer Leniu, Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau’atu

“I love the NSW bench. Yeo, Olakau’atu, Leniu, Young … That’s a really strong forwards bench.

“We are up against it. I’m not going to tip NSW ever, but I’m surprised they’re the outsiders,” added Vautin, trying to play the underdog card in typical fashion.

But Blues great Laurie Daley believes coach Michael Maguire could pull a late switch and bring in Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton onto the bench and drop either Young or Olakau’atu.

The Blues would be left particularly exposed should an injury happen to halfback Nicho Hynes or five-eighth Jarome Luai.

Selwyn Cobbo at Queensland Origin training. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Certainly he is there for a bit of cover but at the same time Selwyn can play various positions,” Slater said, explaining Cobbo’s selection at his press conference on Monday.

“I might even create one for him, who knows. We will plan that as the week goes on, but he is a wonderful player and we have only scratched the surface of what he can do.”

The Broncos winger said himself: “I don’t know (where I’ll be playing) yet. Wherever Billy plays me I will do the team and my state proud,” Cobbo said.

“He said that I would be coming off the bench and to go out there and have fun.

“If they need me in the middle I guess I will try my best. If Billy wants me there I will play in the middle.

“I played lock growing up and it is something I am not afraid of. (I like) being in the middle and around the action. There’s a lot of ball and that’s why I loved playing lock growing up.”

Queensland squad for Game 1

1 Reece Walsh

2 Xavier Coates

3 Valentine Holmes

4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

5 Murray Taulagi

6 Tom Dearden

7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)

8 Reuben Cotter

9 Ben Hunt

10 Lindsay Collins

11 Jaydn Su’A

12 Jeremiah Nanai

13 Pat Carrigan

Bench:

14 Harry Grant

15 Moeaki Fotuaika

16 J’Maine Hopgood

17 Selwyn Cobbo

Reserves: 18. Felise Kaufusi, 19. Brendan Piakura, 20. Ezra Mam