Granty
25-04-2006, 07:53 PM
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,18922475-5003409,00.html
Meninga lays down law
Steve Ricketts
April 25, 2006
QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga says he cannot guarantee Australian skipper Darren Lockyer the five-eighth spot for this year's State of Origin series even if Lockyer plays there in Friday week's trans-Tasman Test in Brisbane.
Meninga warned that players could be selected out of position for Queensland and they must be prepared to accept the challenge as the Maroons look to regain the Origin title they surrendered in 2003.
It is the strongest hint yet Meninga and the Queensland selectors are considering Scott Prince and Johnathan Thurston as the halves, with Lockyer at fullback.
Lockyer reportedly has been assured by Australian coach Ricky Stuart he will play five-eighth against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on Friday week despite earlier speculation he would be switched to fullback, with Anthony Minichiello on the wing.
Since Broncos coach Wayne Bennett made the big call to switch Lockyer from fullback to five-eighth in 2004, Lockyer has enthusiastically embraced the challenge.
He has played nine Tests for Australia at five-eighth for eight wins, the highlight a stunning performance in the 2004 Tri-Nations final against Britain which the Kangaroos won 44-4. He missed last year's 24-0 loss to New Zealand in the Tri-Nations final because of injury.
The Australian team for the Brisbane Test will be named on Sunday night. The Queensland and NSW teams for the Origin series opener in Sydney on May 24 will be named on May 15.
Meninga said yesterday the Queensland selectors would choose players they felt would come together as a strong unit to counter what shapes as a star-studded NSW side.
"I don't want to get into a debate about the make-up of the side and I've got an open mind about selections," he said.
"But wherever players are selected I expect them to be happy to go out and do the job for Queensland.
"A lot of great players over the years have been chosen out of position.
"I'm not guaranteeing anyone a position. In the case of Darren Lockyer he could be five-eighth or he might not be five-eighth.
"The next few weeks could determine a number of positions and obviously if Darren plays five-eighth in the Test and goes well that will be taken into account."
Lockyer played five-eighth with Cowboys star Thurston at halfback in last year's Origin series but there is a school of thought Prince would offer more in terms of organisation.
It seems an attractive proposition to have all three players in the starting 13 but that would mean moving Lockyer to fullback, a switch he would not enjoy after becoming settled at five-eighth.
Meninga disagreed with Australian selector Bob McCarthy's view that none of the front-row contenders for the Brisbane Test had been performing up to standard.
"There's plenty of backrowers and centres but what I would really like to see are a few props put their hands up and say 'pick me. pick me'," McCarthy said. "The last time we lost to New Zealand it's no secret they bashed us so we really want to make sure we get it right up front."
Meninga said he thought Broncos prop Petero Civoniceva was in the best form of his career and should be the first prop picked for Australia.
Former Test centre Meninga believes Broncos centre Justin Hodges should be chosen for Australia.
However, he acknowledged there could be difficulties in switching Hodges to the left side of the field because Mark Gasnier probably deserved to be right centre.
"Hodges, Gasnier, Matt Gidley, Steve Bell and Paul Bowman have been in great form," Meninga said.
"But the Kiwis have got form centres too in particular Steve Matai, Paul Whatuira and Clinton Toopi."
Asked to nominate the No. 1 centre in the game, Meninga opted for Australian Jamie Lyon, who plays for St Helens in England.
Meninga lays down law
Steve Ricketts
April 25, 2006
QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga says he cannot guarantee Australian skipper Darren Lockyer the five-eighth spot for this year's State of Origin series even if Lockyer plays there in Friday week's trans-Tasman Test in Brisbane.
Meninga warned that players could be selected out of position for Queensland and they must be prepared to accept the challenge as the Maroons look to regain the Origin title they surrendered in 2003.
It is the strongest hint yet Meninga and the Queensland selectors are considering Scott Prince and Johnathan Thurston as the halves, with Lockyer at fullback.
Lockyer reportedly has been assured by Australian coach Ricky Stuart he will play five-eighth against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on Friday week despite earlier speculation he would be switched to fullback, with Anthony Minichiello on the wing.
Since Broncos coach Wayne Bennett made the big call to switch Lockyer from fullback to five-eighth in 2004, Lockyer has enthusiastically embraced the challenge.
He has played nine Tests for Australia at five-eighth for eight wins, the highlight a stunning performance in the 2004 Tri-Nations final against Britain which the Kangaroos won 44-4. He missed last year's 24-0 loss to New Zealand in the Tri-Nations final because of injury.
The Australian team for the Brisbane Test will be named on Sunday night. The Queensland and NSW teams for the Origin series opener in Sydney on May 24 will be named on May 15.
Meninga said yesterday the Queensland selectors would choose players they felt would come together as a strong unit to counter what shapes as a star-studded NSW side.
"I don't want to get into a debate about the make-up of the side and I've got an open mind about selections," he said.
"But wherever players are selected I expect them to be happy to go out and do the job for Queensland.
"A lot of great players over the years have been chosen out of position.
"I'm not guaranteeing anyone a position. In the case of Darren Lockyer he could be five-eighth or he might not be five-eighth.
"The next few weeks could determine a number of positions and obviously if Darren plays five-eighth in the Test and goes well that will be taken into account."
Lockyer played five-eighth with Cowboys star Thurston at halfback in last year's Origin series but there is a school of thought Prince would offer more in terms of organisation.
It seems an attractive proposition to have all three players in the starting 13 but that would mean moving Lockyer to fullback, a switch he would not enjoy after becoming settled at five-eighth.
Meninga disagreed with Australian selector Bob McCarthy's view that none of the front-row contenders for the Brisbane Test had been performing up to standard.
"There's plenty of backrowers and centres but what I would really like to see are a few props put their hands up and say 'pick me. pick me'," McCarthy said. "The last time we lost to New Zealand it's no secret they bashed us so we really want to make sure we get it right up front."
Meninga said he thought Broncos prop Petero Civoniceva was in the best form of his career and should be the first prop picked for Australia.
Former Test centre Meninga believes Broncos centre Justin Hodges should be chosen for Australia.
However, he acknowledged there could be difficulties in switching Hodges to the left side of the field because Mark Gasnier probably deserved to be right centre.
"Hodges, Gasnier, Matt Gidley, Steve Bell and Paul Bowman have been in great form," Meninga said.
"But the Kiwis have got form centres too in particular Steve Matai, Paul Whatuira and Clinton Toopi."
Asked to nominate the No. 1 centre in the game, Meninga opted for Australian Jamie Lyon, who plays for St Helens in England.