Granty
20-04-2006, 12:26 AM
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18864466-2722,00.html
Origin prepares for northern exposure
Brent Read
April 20, 2006
NORTH QUEENSLAND's flying start to the NRL season is set to be rewarded with a record number of players in this year's State of Origin series.
The Australian understands as many as 10 Cowboys are under consideration for the Queensland and NSW sides, with at least five considered certainties. Another five, including rookie centre Gavin Cooper and young prop Matthew Scott, figure prominently in discussions among Queensland selectors.
Injured winger Ty Williams would also have been among the group were it not for breaking a leg last month.
North Queensland had a club-record six players involved in last year's Origin series, a figure certain to be eclipsed if the Cowboys continue their early-season form.
Matt Bowen, Matt Sing (pending his availability), Johnathan Thurston, Carl Webb - all Queenslanders - and Luke O'Donnell (NSW) are viewed as certain selections for Origin I at Telstra Stadium on May 24.
Veteran centre Paul Bowman is also a serious contender for a Maroons spot while at least one of Shane Tronc and Matthew Scott is likely to be included in the Queensland squad.
Hooker Aaron Payne, who recently returned from a neck injury, is trapped behind Melbourne's Cameron Smith but looms as a possible bench option for the Maroons.
Cooper appears the longest shot, with Queensland's backline stocks at bursting point.
The Cowboys also have several members of their coaching staff involved, with Graham Murray at the helm of NSW, Neil Henry an assistant with Queensland and Billy Johnstone the Maroons' conditioner.
Queensland coach Mal Meninga will be in Townsville next week and will catch up with the Cowboys' Maroons players.
One of his first orders of business will be to find out whether Sing is available. The Cowboys winger has not committed to another season of representative football.
"Hopefully I will talk to Matt when I'm up in Townsville on Monday," Meninga said.
North Queensland chief executive Peter Parr said the club had left Sing, a veteran of 24 Origin games and 15 Tests for Australia, to make a decision.
However, D-day is looming for Sing with national selectors likely to seek his position before the Anzac Test against New Zealand on May 5.
Origin prepares for northern exposure
Brent Read
April 20, 2006
NORTH QUEENSLAND's flying start to the NRL season is set to be rewarded with a record number of players in this year's State of Origin series.
The Australian understands as many as 10 Cowboys are under consideration for the Queensland and NSW sides, with at least five considered certainties. Another five, including rookie centre Gavin Cooper and young prop Matthew Scott, figure prominently in discussions among Queensland selectors.
Injured winger Ty Williams would also have been among the group were it not for breaking a leg last month.
North Queensland had a club-record six players involved in last year's Origin series, a figure certain to be eclipsed if the Cowboys continue their early-season form.
Matt Bowen, Matt Sing (pending his availability), Johnathan Thurston, Carl Webb - all Queenslanders - and Luke O'Donnell (NSW) are viewed as certain selections for Origin I at Telstra Stadium on May 24.
Veteran centre Paul Bowman is also a serious contender for a Maroons spot while at least one of Shane Tronc and Matthew Scott is likely to be included in the Queensland squad.
Hooker Aaron Payne, who recently returned from a neck injury, is trapped behind Melbourne's Cameron Smith but looms as a possible bench option for the Maroons.
Cooper appears the longest shot, with Queensland's backline stocks at bursting point.
The Cowboys also have several members of their coaching staff involved, with Graham Murray at the helm of NSW, Neil Henry an assistant with Queensland and Billy Johnstone the Maroons' conditioner.
Queensland coach Mal Meninga will be in Townsville next week and will catch up with the Cowboys' Maroons players.
One of his first orders of business will be to find out whether Sing is available. The Cowboys winger has not committed to another season of representative football.
"Hopefully I will talk to Matt when I'm up in Townsville on Monday," Meninga said.
North Queensland chief executive Peter Parr said the club had left Sing, a veteran of 24 Origin games and 15 Tests for Australia, to make a decision.
However, D-day is looming for Sing with national selectors likely to seek his position before the Anzac Test against New Zealand on May 5.