Granty
14-05-2006, 10:48 AM
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,19124856%255E2764,00.html
Big Mal ready to save Maroons
MICHAEL WESTLAKE
14may06
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5153333,00.jpg
DEBUT: Cowboys prop Matt Scott will play in Origin I
QUEENSLAND was prepared to deliver the biggest State of Origin selection shock in 22 years by picking hulking Cowboys prop Matt Scott out of the Queensland Wizard Cup to play for the Maroons this year.
Scott, who has been a revelation for the Cowboys this season, will earn his first Queensland jersey when the Maroons team for Origin I is named on the Sunshine Coast tomorrow.
But the 20-year-old giant had already been earmarked for the Maroons squad well before he established himself as a regular Cowboys first grader.
Queensland coach Mal Meninga revealed to The Sunday Mail that, when planning for the Origin series began late last year, Scott's name was mentioned heavily because of his efforts with North Queensland's Young Guns.
At the time they were unsure whether Scott would be able to force his way into the Cowboys' top side, with Carl Webb, Mitchell Sargent and Shane Tronc ahead of him in the NRL queue.
But Scott has made an irresistible claim for selection this season.
And Meninga confirmed Scott would have pushed for selection even from the Queensland Cup.
"Naturally, it would have depended on who was available, but I would have no qualms about picking a guy from obscurity if I thought he could get the job done for us," Meninga said. "It has been done before.
"Dave Brown was in reserve grade (with the Roosters) when he played for Queensland in 1984, Alf (Langer) was called back from England.
"Trevor Gillmeister coaches in the Queensland Cup, and he thought there were a few players in that league worth keeping an eye on that could have possibly sneaked through to Origin level," Meninga said.
"After last year's series it seemed to be all doom and gloom about the amount of talent coming through the ranks for Queensland. But all of a sudden guys like Matty have emerged and it is fantastic for us.
"It's funny talking about Dave Brown, because I personally liken Matty Scott to a Dave Brown-type of player.
"I played with Dave for Queensland in the 1980s, and Dave was a real tough bugger who had some skill about him. He was a smart player.
"I see that in Matt. They also tell me that his attitude is fantastic. He seems well suited to Origin.
"He is right in contention. In fact I will say he will be there. I do hope he can impact at that level. The inner-sanctum at the Cowboys think he can.
"Given that and his form, his ability to play back row and front row, and the fact he is a dynamic player with a bit of mongrel in him, it looks like he is ideal for this level."
Meninga laid down the challenge to his first Origin team – saying the players were in the box seat to play the entire series if they could deliver in Origin I.
"I am happy with the way that the players are going," he said. "There are still a few contentious spots for us.
"I think we can pick a really good team with experience and some youth and enthusiasm. I am conscious of getting the right dynamics in the team.
"I know that this team we are about to pick does have a future in it. Touch wood that they all come through game one, this is a team that we can stick by and use for the entire series, hopefully."
In a wide ranging interview, Meninga touched on several key areas.
PRESENT FORM
"One of the most pleasing things is that the players we have been looking most seriously at are coming from the best-performing clubs in the NRL.
"We are going to have quite a few blokes from the Cowboys, Broncos and Storm, and all those teams are in the top five.
"They are a motivated bunch, and they are playing with confidence because they are playing in winning teams. That will help a lot with our preparation."
THE PACK
"Some of them are explosive, some are hardworking, some are tough, some have good skills and good footwork.
"We've got Matty Scott, Petero Civoniceva, Steve Price, Shane Tronc, David Shillington, David Stagg, Carl Webb . . . it's a fair start for any pack."
LOCKYER'S POSITION
"When you are looking at a footy side, you make decisions based on what is best for the team, not what is best for the player.
"If any player is selected to play out of position, they are picked there because we think that is where they can do the best job for Queensland.
"Playing Darren (Lockyer) at fullback would be no different than Andrew Johns playing hooker, or Laurie Daley playing in the centres, or Allan Langer playing hooker for Australia.
"It is no different to those top-line players of the past putting their hands up to do a job for the sake of their state or country."
INEXPERIENCE
"It is not a concern. We have a pretty good blend there with experienced players to help them through.
"You look at a guy like Cameron Smith. He is only 22 years of age, and this will be his fourth Origin series. Locky has done everything in the game, Johnathan Thurston has been there before. The list goes on.
"There is a heap of experience there for us to call on. The number of young guys we've got, I like it. I am really enthusiastic about it all."
Big Mal ready to save Maroons
MICHAEL WESTLAKE
14may06
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5153333,00.jpg
DEBUT: Cowboys prop Matt Scott will play in Origin I
QUEENSLAND was prepared to deliver the biggest State of Origin selection shock in 22 years by picking hulking Cowboys prop Matt Scott out of the Queensland Wizard Cup to play for the Maroons this year.
Scott, who has been a revelation for the Cowboys this season, will earn his first Queensland jersey when the Maroons team for Origin I is named on the Sunshine Coast tomorrow.
But the 20-year-old giant had already been earmarked for the Maroons squad well before he established himself as a regular Cowboys first grader.
Queensland coach Mal Meninga revealed to The Sunday Mail that, when planning for the Origin series began late last year, Scott's name was mentioned heavily because of his efforts with North Queensland's Young Guns.
At the time they were unsure whether Scott would be able to force his way into the Cowboys' top side, with Carl Webb, Mitchell Sargent and Shane Tronc ahead of him in the NRL queue.
But Scott has made an irresistible claim for selection this season.
And Meninga confirmed Scott would have pushed for selection even from the Queensland Cup.
"Naturally, it would have depended on who was available, but I would have no qualms about picking a guy from obscurity if I thought he could get the job done for us," Meninga said. "It has been done before.
"Dave Brown was in reserve grade (with the Roosters) when he played for Queensland in 1984, Alf (Langer) was called back from England.
"Trevor Gillmeister coaches in the Queensland Cup, and he thought there were a few players in that league worth keeping an eye on that could have possibly sneaked through to Origin level," Meninga said.
"After last year's series it seemed to be all doom and gloom about the amount of talent coming through the ranks for Queensland. But all of a sudden guys like Matty have emerged and it is fantastic for us.
"It's funny talking about Dave Brown, because I personally liken Matty Scott to a Dave Brown-type of player.
"I played with Dave for Queensland in the 1980s, and Dave was a real tough bugger who had some skill about him. He was a smart player.
"I see that in Matt. They also tell me that his attitude is fantastic. He seems well suited to Origin.
"He is right in contention. In fact I will say he will be there. I do hope he can impact at that level. The inner-sanctum at the Cowboys think he can.
"Given that and his form, his ability to play back row and front row, and the fact he is a dynamic player with a bit of mongrel in him, it looks like he is ideal for this level."
Meninga laid down the challenge to his first Origin team – saying the players were in the box seat to play the entire series if they could deliver in Origin I.
"I am happy with the way that the players are going," he said. "There are still a few contentious spots for us.
"I think we can pick a really good team with experience and some youth and enthusiasm. I am conscious of getting the right dynamics in the team.
"I know that this team we are about to pick does have a future in it. Touch wood that they all come through game one, this is a team that we can stick by and use for the entire series, hopefully."
In a wide ranging interview, Meninga touched on several key areas.
PRESENT FORM
"One of the most pleasing things is that the players we have been looking most seriously at are coming from the best-performing clubs in the NRL.
"We are going to have quite a few blokes from the Cowboys, Broncos and Storm, and all those teams are in the top five.
"They are a motivated bunch, and they are playing with confidence because they are playing in winning teams. That will help a lot with our preparation."
THE PACK
"Some of them are explosive, some are hardworking, some are tough, some have good skills and good footwork.
"We've got Matty Scott, Petero Civoniceva, Steve Price, Shane Tronc, David Shillington, David Stagg, Carl Webb . . . it's a fair start for any pack."
LOCKYER'S POSITION
"When you are looking at a footy side, you make decisions based on what is best for the team, not what is best for the player.
"If any player is selected to play out of position, they are picked there because we think that is where they can do the best job for Queensland.
"Playing Darren (Lockyer) at fullback would be no different than Andrew Johns playing hooker, or Laurie Daley playing in the centres, or Allan Langer playing hooker for Australia.
"It is no different to those top-line players of the past putting their hands up to do a job for the sake of their state or country."
INEXPERIENCE
"It is not a concern. We have a pretty good blend there with experienced players to help them through.
"You look at a guy like Cameron Smith. He is only 22 years of age, and this will be his fourth Origin series. Locky has done everything in the game, Johnathan Thurston has been there before. The list goes on.
"There is a heap of experience there for us to call on. The number of young guys we've got, I like it. I am really enthusiastic about it all."