Granty
16-05-2006, 08:59 PM
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/No-Origin-doubts-over-Bowen/2006/05/16/1147545317923.html
No Origin doubts over Bowen
May 16, 2006 - 5:10PM
Dynamic fullback Matt Bowen may have been overlooked for fellow Queenslander Karmichael Hunt in Test selection but he knows he has coach Mal Meninga's full confidence in State of Origin.
Hunt, who was knocked out 50 minutes into a brave Test debut against the Kiwis earlier this month, didn't pull a vote in what was widely tipped to be one of the most contentious selection debates for the 17-man Queensland squad.
Many thought Hunt's Test selection and his club understanding with Queensland captain and five-eighth Darren Lockyer would tip the scales his way, but his name was not even raised for the fullback job.
The reasoning used by Test selectors that Bowen's jockey-sized body would not cope with the physical and aggressive approach from the Kiwis did not concern the Queensland selectors, or Meninga.
There's no tougher arena than Origin football and while he's small in stature, Bowen is a lot like former Queensland halfback Allan Langer when it comes to courage and genius.
Bowen's natural flair, his ability to score from anywhere on the field and his proven combination with Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston were simply too irresistible for Queensland selectors to ignore.
Bowen played fullback in last year's 2-1 series loss.
He was exposed then because of Queensland's lack of height on the flanks - a problem which has been addressed this year by the inclusion of rookie wingers Greg Inglis (194cm) and Steve Bell (182cm), both excellent at getting off the ground and defusing bombs.
"Matty's in great form. He's the incumbent and I think he deserves his opportunity in the side," said Meninga, Origin's all-time leading points scorer.
"I don't believe Matty Bowen is going to let us down come game one, I believe he's going to have a big game."
Bowen had no gripe with the selectors about missing out in the Test and used it as incentive put more consistency into his game which he believes landed him the Origin job.
"I wasn't playing consistent enough and Karmichael was," said Bowen.
"He deserved the job and I thought he played pretty well.
"Fullback is very competitive with Rhys Wesser, Greg Inglis and Karmichael."
Bowen, a cult figure in north Queensland said playing for the maroons was special.
"I've got my chance to play another Origin and I want to make the most of it," he said.
He said Cowboys teammate Thurston was in the best form of his career and he wanted to take advantage of that against the Blues.
"I just want to feed off him and Locky (Darren Lockyer) and I'm really looking forward to playing at this level.
© 2006 AAP
No Origin doubts over Bowen
May 16, 2006 - 5:10PM
Dynamic fullback Matt Bowen may have been overlooked for fellow Queenslander Karmichael Hunt in Test selection but he knows he has coach Mal Meninga's full confidence in State of Origin.
Hunt, who was knocked out 50 minutes into a brave Test debut against the Kiwis earlier this month, didn't pull a vote in what was widely tipped to be one of the most contentious selection debates for the 17-man Queensland squad.
Many thought Hunt's Test selection and his club understanding with Queensland captain and five-eighth Darren Lockyer would tip the scales his way, but his name was not even raised for the fullback job.
The reasoning used by Test selectors that Bowen's jockey-sized body would not cope with the physical and aggressive approach from the Kiwis did not concern the Queensland selectors, or Meninga.
There's no tougher arena than Origin football and while he's small in stature, Bowen is a lot like former Queensland halfback Allan Langer when it comes to courage and genius.
Bowen's natural flair, his ability to score from anywhere on the field and his proven combination with Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston were simply too irresistible for Queensland selectors to ignore.
Bowen played fullback in last year's 2-1 series loss.
He was exposed then because of Queensland's lack of height on the flanks - a problem which has been addressed this year by the inclusion of rookie wingers Greg Inglis (194cm) and Steve Bell (182cm), both excellent at getting off the ground and defusing bombs.
"Matty's in great form. He's the incumbent and I think he deserves his opportunity in the side," said Meninga, Origin's all-time leading points scorer.
"I don't believe Matty Bowen is going to let us down come game one, I believe he's going to have a big game."
Bowen had no gripe with the selectors about missing out in the Test and used it as incentive put more consistency into his game which he believes landed him the Origin job.
"I wasn't playing consistent enough and Karmichael was," said Bowen.
"He deserved the job and I thought he played pretty well.
"Fullback is very competitive with Rhys Wesser, Greg Inglis and Karmichael."
Bowen, a cult figure in north Queensland said playing for the maroons was special.
"I've got my chance to play another Origin and I want to make the most of it," he said.
He said Cowboys teammate Thurston was in the best form of his career and he wanted to take advantage of that against the Blues.
"I just want to feed off him and Locky (Darren Lockyer) and I'm really looking forward to playing at this level.
© 2006 AAP