State of Origin 2016: Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt isn’t ready to represent Maroons
LEAGUE writer Rikki-Lee Arnold has chosen the Queensland team she believes will win Origin 1. Check out her side — and pick your own with our Maroons Team Selector!
DANE Gagai may be playing for the last-placed team in the NRL, but he has won the coveted Maroons wing spot over Kyle Feldt in my Queensland team for State of Origin I.
Feldt was a grand final hero for the Cowboys last year, but I do not believe he is ready for the arena that is State of Origin.
TEAM SELECTOR: Pick your Queensland Maroons team for Origin 1 now!
Gagai should be handed his second chance with the Maroons, after playing for them on the wing in Game 3 last year.
He did nothing wrong then and, despite the form of the Knights, I do not think he will do anything wrong come June 1.
I have tried to balance my side out based on current form and also Queensland’s known loyalty.
Gagai will be where they show loyalty. Corey Oates and Justin O’Neill will be those picked on current form.
Feldt, 24, will have his time in the Queensland side but I do not think it will be for Game 1.
Elsewhere, I have chosen my side based off what we’ve seen across the NRL this year.
Darius Boyd is my fullback, Greg Inglis is in the centres and the halves are as per usual.
I believe Josh McGuire deserves to start ahead of Nate Myles, who has been well below his usual standard this year.
I also think playing Sam Thaiday off the bench would be a brilliant move for coach Kevin Walters.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has proven it works for Brisbane and I think he has that spark you need when you’re already 20 minutes down in a tough match like State of Origin.
RIKKI-LEE ARNOLD’S QUEENSLAND TEAM
1. Darius Boyd
2. Corey Oates
3. Greg Inglis
4. Justin O’Neill
5. Dane Gagai
6. Johnathan Thurston
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Matt Scott
9. Cameron Smith
10. Josh McGuire
11. Aidan Guerra
12. Matt Gillett
13. Corey Parker
Interchange:
14. Michael Morgan
15. Sam Thaiday
16. Josh Papalii
17. Nate Myles
WHAT DO YOU THINK? HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW
TEAM SELECTOR: Pick your Queensland Maroons team for Origin 1 now!
Originally published as State of Origin 2016: Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt isn’t ready to represent Maroons
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