Granty
16-05-2006, 10:12 AM
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19151217-5003409,00.html
Young and restless
Steve Ricketts
May 16, 2006
http://thecouriermail.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5154366,00.jpg
MAGNIFICENT seven ... Queensland Origin rookies, from left, Greg Inglis, Dallas Johnson, David Stagg,
Steven Bell, Matthew Scott, Sam Thaiday and Nate Myles. Picture: David Kapernick
AGGRESSION shapes as the key feature of Queensland's bid to win back State of Origin supremacy from NSW under new coach Mal Meninga.
Meninga said yesterday the Queensland team named for Origin I in Sydney tomorrow week was the best the state had fielded for some time and the seven rookies would be able to handle the step up in class from the NRL.
In particular Meninga felt the interchange bench of Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Carl Webb and Shaun Berrigan had the ability to "add value" to the side when things got tough.
"It's a dynamic bench and they're fairly aggressive people too," he said. "I think it's paramount you have aggression and that you have people who will do whatever is needed to get the job done.
"It's not a normal footy game playing in Origin. It's a step up in class, intensity and toughness.
"You need a fair bit of that controlled aggression coming off your bench and adding value to your footy side. We believe the four blokes selected there will do that job for us."
The seven rookies are Myles, Thaiday, Greg Inglis, Steve Bell, David Stagg, Matthew Scott and Dallas Johnson signalling a new era for the game in Queensland. Inglis, 19, and Bell 29, are the two backline rookies with the rest forwards. Test fullback Karmichael Hunt was the striking omission but chairman of selectors Des Morris said North Queensland Cowboys star Matt Bowen offered greater strike power.
Morris is also a Test selector and it is believed he went in to bat for Bowen at national level but in the end went with coach Ricky Stuart's desire for a more robust player.
"Matty has been the form fullback since the start of the season and the selectors thought he might provide more attack than Hunt," Morris said.
Morris also defended the selection of Broncos centre Brent Tate even though Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett did not think he was physically ready after playing only two games following ankle surgery.
"We spoke to the player and Mal did his own research," Morris said. "We tried to pick a fit side so there will be minimum disruptions at training and the medical staff tell us everyone has arrived in good shape." Meninga said he did not believe this was the most crucial series in Origin history because the 1995 and 2001 series probably had as much riding on them and Queensland came out on top. And if Queensland had not won the very first Origin match in 1980 the concept might have been dead and buried there and then.
Meninga played in that match and yesterday he sat alongside QRL chairman John McDonald, the Maroons' coach in 1980, as he read out the names of the latest outfit.
"These players are keen on leaving their own legacy," Meninga said. "This is the best footy side we've put on the field for a while. You look back 12 months and it was all doom and gloom as far as where Queensland were going to get their forwards from.
"If these blokes grab their opportunity they will be here for a long time. I think Origin hinges on a successful Queensland side and I think everyone agrees with that. It's one of the motivations for me going into the series."
Meninga said he had been handed a form side and what players lacked in experience they would more than make up in enthusiasm.
"I've got really good belief in this footy side," he said. "I've got no doubt they want to play there and that's what I'm after. I want these players playing because they're putting on a maroon jersey."
Meninga said he did not think losing teams in the past three years lacked passion but hinted that self-belief was the problem.
"We have to instil that in the side and having new players who haven't been part of that can only help us," he said.
Young and restless
Steve Ricketts
May 16, 2006
http://thecouriermail.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5154366,00.jpg
MAGNIFICENT seven ... Queensland Origin rookies, from left, Greg Inglis, Dallas Johnson, David Stagg,
Steven Bell, Matthew Scott, Sam Thaiday and Nate Myles. Picture: David Kapernick
AGGRESSION shapes as the key feature of Queensland's bid to win back State of Origin supremacy from NSW under new coach Mal Meninga.
Meninga said yesterday the Queensland team named for Origin I in Sydney tomorrow week was the best the state had fielded for some time and the seven rookies would be able to handle the step up in class from the NRL.
In particular Meninga felt the interchange bench of Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Carl Webb and Shaun Berrigan had the ability to "add value" to the side when things got tough.
"It's a dynamic bench and they're fairly aggressive people too," he said. "I think it's paramount you have aggression and that you have people who will do whatever is needed to get the job done.
"It's not a normal footy game playing in Origin. It's a step up in class, intensity and toughness.
"You need a fair bit of that controlled aggression coming off your bench and adding value to your footy side. We believe the four blokes selected there will do that job for us."
The seven rookies are Myles, Thaiday, Greg Inglis, Steve Bell, David Stagg, Matthew Scott and Dallas Johnson signalling a new era for the game in Queensland. Inglis, 19, and Bell 29, are the two backline rookies with the rest forwards. Test fullback Karmichael Hunt was the striking omission but chairman of selectors Des Morris said North Queensland Cowboys star Matt Bowen offered greater strike power.
Morris is also a Test selector and it is believed he went in to bat for Bowen at national level but in the end went with coach Ricky Stuart's desire for a more robust player.
"Matty has been the form fullback since the start of the season and the selectors thought he might provide more attack than Hunt," Morris said.
Morris also defended the selection of Broncos centre Brent Tate even though Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett did not think he was physically ready after playing only two games following ankle surgery.
"We spoke to the player and Mal did his own research," Morris said. "We tried to pick a fit side so there will be minimum disruptions at training and the medical staff tell us everyone has arrived in good shape." Meninga said he did not believe this was the most crucial series in Origin history because the 1995 and 2001 series probably had as much riding on them and Queensland came out on top. And if Queensland had not won the very first Origin match in 1980 the concept might have been dead and buried there and then.
Meninga played in that match and yesterday he sat alongside QRL chairman John McDonald, the Maroons' coach in 1980, as he read out the names of the latest outfit.
"These players are keen on leaving their own legacy," Meninga said. "This is the best footy side we've put on the field for a while. You look back 12 months and it was all doom and gloom as far as where Queensland were going to get their forwards from.
"If these blokes grab their opportunity they will be here for a long time. I think Origin hinges on a successful Queensland side and I think everyone agrees with that. It's one of the motivations for me going into the series."
Meninga said he had been handed a form side and what players lacked in experience they would more than make up in enthusiasm.
"I've got really good belief in this footy side," he said. "I've got no doubt they want to play there and that's what I'm after. I want these players playing because they're putting on a maroon jersey."
Meninga said he did not think losing teams in the past three years lacked passion but hinted that self-belief was the problem.
"We have to instil that in the side and having new players who haven't been part of that can only help us," he said.