State of Origin 2020: Corey Allan to debut at fullback for Maroons

Corey Allan will make his Maroons debut at fullback on Wednesday night as rumours swirl about his future in the NRL.

Corey Allan is set to play fullback for the Queensland Maroons.

Maroons coach Wayne Bennett is set to throw an Origin selection curveball by thrusting South Sydney dynamo Corey Allan into a fullback baptism of fire.

Allan is in line to make his State of Origin debut at fullback in Wednesday’s series decider against NSW at Suncorp Stadium.

Named on the wing, Allan could unseat Game Two custodian Valentine Holmes as Bennett looks for a way to stifle the impact of Blues wing weapon Josh Addo-Carr.

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Holmes has a sensational Origin record as a winger, scoring eight tries in five games, and could be deployed to his most dangerous position after Addo-Carr demolished Queensland in Sydney last week.

The Maroons also have other injury concerns after winger Xavier Coates was relegated to light duties at training on Sunday, paving the way for Brenko Lee to debut at centre, with Dane Gagai shifting out wide.

Allan, 22, enjoyed a meteoric rise this year after replacing Latrell Mitchell at fullback in Souths’ late run to the NRL preliminary finals, where they were bundled out by Penrith.

Corey Allan is set to play fullback for the Queensland Maroons.

Sporting a terrible poker face, Allan giggled when asked if he was playing fullback and said he would have no problems debuting at the back.

“I’m named on the wing,” he said with a smile.

“The plan right now is to focus on coming up against Addo-Carr. That’s my main focus. We’ll see how training pans out.

“I don’t think it (fullback) would trouble me too much, I’ve been playing it all year.

“I’m not too fussed about it. I’m comfortable no matter where I play.”

Corey Allan starred for South Sydney at fullback late in the NRL season. Picture: Brett Costello

Allan admitted he was stunned to be selected to play State of Origin after enduring a rollercoaster NRL career to date.

The Logan product was released by Bennett at the Broncos in 2018 and made his way to the Rabbitohs, where he reunited with ex-Brisbane coach Bennett last year.
Bennett recently admitted he did not think Allan would make it in the NRL, but he managed 19 games in 2019 and played a further 10 this year to clinch a spot in Queensland’s 27-man squad.

Despite his rise at Redfern, Allan has been linked with an exit from Souths after 2021 due to a logjam of backline players and the extension of star fullback Latrell Mitchell.

Allan admitted he was stunned by speculation about his future and he did not want to leave the Rabbitohs after growing close to Bennett.

“I am at Souths next year and haven’t heard anything (different),” he said.

Corey Allan was hard to handle late in the NRL season. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“When I saw that I was a bit shocked. I called my manager and said ‘what the f***’s going on?’.

“I don’t know what the future holds. At the moment I love Souths and want to stay at Souths, that’s all I’m thinking about.

“I love Wayne, he is a good coach. Anyone that’s under him will say that they love him, because he’s such a good bloke, he knows how to get the best out of his players.

“He is great with my home life, always checking in and making sure everyone is all right.

“At training he is always working on the little things that can better you, the same as Latrell helping me.

“Wayne is always there. He’s done it all and trained the best. He knows what he’s talking about.”

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After initially playing Alex Johnston at fullback following Mitchell’s season-ending hamstring injury, the Rabbitohs clicked into gear when Allan shifted from the wing to No. 1.

Mitchell is not playing for NSW in this year’s Origin series due to his injury but he has offered a helping hand to his good friend Allan.

“‘Trell’ had a big influence,” Allan said.

“He is only 23 but won two premierships. He helped me with all the little things. He knows how to throw the best ball you can, he can hit a winger from 50m.

“Every little thing I was learning from him. He was showing me what to look for when defenders are shutting, all the little things that help you on the footy field.

“It would be funny if Trell was playing for the Blues because I can’t take him seriously. We muck around all the time. It’d be interesting if he was on the Blues side.

“He has wished me well. He said he is immensely proud and I deserve it. He has loved watching me progress as a player.

“He loves fishing and I’m really big into fishing. We are always showing each other fish that have been caught and saying we’re going to go out and catch them ourselves.

“It has been a dream and I’m still trying to process it, it’s crazy, I can’t believe I’m actually playing.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2020: Corey Allan to debut at fullback for Maroons