Granty
09-05-2006, 07:16 AM
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19074584-5003409,00.html
Jumpers still up for grabs
Steve Ricketts
May 09, 2006
AFTER nine rounds of the NRL, Queensland's State of Origin selectors are still a long way off deciding the team for the series opener against NSW in Sydney on May 24.
A host of Origin berths hinge on performances this weekend, with the Storm-Cowboys match in Melbourne and the Broncos-Manly clash at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night taking the spotlight.
The Queensland and NSW teams will be named on Monday after NSW selectors run the rule over players in Friday night's City-Country match at Dubbo in addition to the club round.
Queensland chairman of selectors Des Morris yesterday expressed his "disappointment and frustration" at the Maroons' latest setback, a 12-match ban hanging over the head of Storm second-rower Michael Crocker for a dangerous throw.
Queensland coach Mal Meninga said it would be a shattering blow if Crocker was suspended, and Morris conceded the Maroons lacked the depth to suffer any further setbacks.
He said Crocker had been pencilled in for one second-row spot and if he was suspended a host of players would come under the microscope.
Players effectively guaranteed places in the Queensland squad are skipper Darren Lockyer, prop Petero Civoniceva, halfback/five-eighth Johnathan Thurston, hooker Cameron Smith and centre Justin Hodges.
Morris again refused to rubber-stamp the selection of Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt despite his solid debut for Australia against New Zealand on Friday.
"I thought Karmichael played well," said Morris, who is also a Test selector. "He showed plenty of guts and he wasn't overawed by the occasion.
"But one thing we're not short of is fullbacks and in addition to looking at the capabilities of players we also have to look at what they can bring to the team.
"There's no doubt Crocker would have been there and it's very disappointing and frustrating to see him charged, given he has been playing very disciplined football.
"If he is suspended it will be a blow, especially as we have already been hit by injuries and retirements."
Five players from last year's Origin series – Ty Williams, Ben Ross (injured), Paul Bowman, Matt Sing (retired) and Danny Nutley (England) – are out of the picture this year while Billy Slater (suspension), Chris Flannery and Dane Carlaw (injured) are unavailable for Origin I.
Morris said Shane Tronc, Matt Scott (Cowboys), David Shillington (Roosters) and Nate Myles (Bulldogs) would be considered for second-row spots even though they were primarily front-rowers.
"We've got an open mind about all positions," Morris said.
Bulldogs star Willie Tonga will not get a chance to showcase his talents this weekend because of suspension but Morris said the former Test centre would be considered for Origin I.
Meninga has introduced a mentor system with Queensland great Mark Coyne assigned to keep in touch with Tonga during his enforced layoff.
Morris conceded Queensland needed a big three-quarter line to match the Blues "tall timber" Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Matt King and Timana Tahu.
With Hodges to be one centre, Tonga and Manly's Steven Bell are chief contenders for the other spot.
Brent Tate (Broncos) and Greg Inglis (Storm) are favourites for wing spots, with Matt Bowen (Cowboys) the likely fullback and Hunt an interchange option.
Morris said Wests Tigers star Scott Prince was not out of the equation but that opened up the prospect of Lockyer being switched from five-eighth to fullback with Prince and Thurston the halves.
"I can't say whether Darren will or won't be five-eighth because it's not my decision alone," Morris said. "But it's unlikely we will switch him from five-eighth given how well he has been going."
Morris will attend the Broncos-Manly on game on Saturday with fellow selectors Alan Smith and Gene Miles travelling to Melbourne.
Jumpers still up for grabs
Steve Ricketts
May 09, 2006
AFTER nine rounds of the NRL, Queensland's State of Origin selectors are still a long way off deciding the team for the series opener against NSW in Sydney on May 24.
A host of Origin berths hinge on performances this weekend, with the Storm-Cowboys match in Melbourne and the Broncos-Manly clash at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night taking the spotlight.
The Queensland and NSW teams will be named on Monday after NSW selectors run the rule over players in Friday night's City-Country match at Dubbo in addition to the club round.
Queensland chairman of selectors Des Morris yesterday expressed his "disappointment and frustration" at the Maroons' latest setback, a 12-match ban hanging over the head of Storm second-rower Michael Crocker for a dangerous throw.
Queensland coach Mal Meninga said it would be a shattering blow if Crocker was suspended, and Morris conceded the Maroons lacked the depth to suffer any further setbacks.
He said Crocker had been pencilled in for one second-row spot and if he was suspended a host of players would come under the microscope.
Players effectively guaranteed places in the Queensland squad are skipper Darren Lockyer, prop Petero Civoniceva, halfback/five-eighth Johnathan Thurston, hooker Cameron Smith and centre Justin Hodges.
Morris again refused to rubber-stamp the selection of Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt despite his solid debut for Australia against New Zealand on Friday.
"I thought Karmichael played well," said Morris, who is also a Test selector. "He showed plenty of guts and he wasn't overawed by the occasion.
"But one thing we're not short of is fullbacks and in addition to looking at the capabilities of players we also have to look at what they can bring to the team.
"There's no doubt Crocker would have been there and it's very disappointing and frustrating to see him charged, given he has been playing very disciplined football.
"If he is suspended it will be a blow, especially as we have already been hit by injuries and retirements."
Five players from last year's Origin series – Ty Williams, Ben Ross (injured), Paul Bowman, Matt Sing (retired) and Danny Nutley (England) – are out of the picture this year while Billy Slater (suspension), Chris Flannery and Dane Carlaw (injured) are unavailable for Origin I.
Morris said Shane Tronc, Matt Scott (Cowboys), David Shillington (Roosters) and Nate Myles (Bulldogs) would be considered for second-row spots even though they were primarily front-rowers.
"We've got an open mind about all positions," Morris said.
Bulldogs star Willie Tonga will not get a chance to showcase his talents this weekend because of suspension but Morris said the former Test centre would be considered for Origin I.
Meninga has introduced a mentor system with Queensland great Mark Coyne assigned to keep in touch with Tonga during his enforced layoff.
Morris conceded Queensland needed a big three-quarter line to match the Blues "tall timber" Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Matt King and Timana Tahu.
With Hodges to be one centre, Tonga and Manly's Steven Bell are chief contenders for the other spot.
Brent Tate (Broncos) and Greg Inglis (Storm) are favourites for wing spots, with Matt Bowen (Cowboys) the likely fullback and Hunt an interchange option.
Morris said Wests Tigers star Scott Prince was not out of the equation but that opened up the prospect of Lockyer being switched from five-eighth to fullback with Prince and Thurston the halves.
"I can't say whether Darren will or won't be five-eighth because it's not my decision alone," Morris said. "But it's unlikely we will switch him from five-eighth given how well he has been going."
Morris will attend the Broncos-Manly on game on Saturday with fellow selectors Alan Smith and Gene Miles travelling to Melbourne.