Granty
29-05-2006, 07:16 AM
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19284853-5003409,00.html
Bowen will play anywhere
Mick Daly
May 29, 2006
COWBOYS dynamo Matt Bowen says he would play "anywhere" for Queensland but he will not give up the fullback spot without a fight.
Bowen had a mixed night for the Maroons in their 17-16 loss to NSW in the State of Origin series opener at Sydney's Telstra Stadium last Wednesday and there is growing speculation Karmichael Hunt or Darren Lockyer could be named at fullback for the return clash in Brisbane on June 14.
After the Cowboys' 15-14 loss to Canberra in Townsville on Saturday night, Bowen said he knew his position in the Queensland squad was under threat.
He said he was aware of talk Hunt and Lockyer were being considered for the custodian role, but conceded he had little control over selection decisions.
"I'll let the selectors worry about that," he said. "I just want to play footy and do my best for the Cowboys.
"Hopefully I can retain my spot but if it comes to that and I do get dropped, then so be it. Life will go on.
"I just want to play Origin and play for Queensland. Anywhere in the team is fine with me. But fullback is my best and most preferred position."
Bowen missed out on the Australian squad for the May 5 Test against New Zealand because of concerns over his size and ability under the high ball.
He had a nervous 80 minutes at the back against NSW, making an occasional brilliant kicking return but allowing at least three catchable balls to bounce.
Bowen said he was not particularly pleased with his performance and admitted he was desperate for another opportunity.
"Overall, it probably wasn't my best game," he said. "I was happy with bits and pieces of it, but I also know I've got to improve a few things.
"Looking back, I could have caught the ball on the full a couple of times. At the time, I didn't feel I was close enough to get to it the full."
Bowen spent large chunks of the match on the left wing, with rookie Greg Inglis also enjoying time at fullback. Bowen said the tactic had not affected him and denied it was a contributing factor in Queensland's spluttering effort.
"It didn't bother me at all. We spoke about it during the week and I was actually pretty happy about it. It wasn't something we just came up with on the night," he said.
"It gave Greg an opportunity to show what he could do and me as well.
"As a team we just didn't gel how we would have liked."
The team for Game Two will be named next Monday and selectors have indicated there could be changes to the backline that failed to fire in Sydney.
With centres Justin Hodges (hamstring) and Willie Tonga (hamstring) unlikely to be fit for Game Two, utility Shaun Berrigan – who started the first game on the bench – could be elevated into the run-on side.
That would open the door for Bowen to be chosen in the impact interchange role he has been used for in seven of his nine Origin appearances.
The Cowboys' Queensland contingent – Bowen, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott and Carl Webb – escaped the Raiders match unscathed.
But NSW lock Luke O'Donnell, injured in the Origin game, will be sidelined for between three and six weeks with a broken thumb.
Bowen will play anywhere
Mick Daly
May 29, 2006
COWBOYS dynamo Matt Bowen says he would play "anywhere" for Queensland but he will not give up the fullback spot without a fight.
Bowen had a mixed night for the Maroons in their 17-16 loss to NSW in the State of Origin series opener at Sydney's Telstra Stadium last Wednesday and there is growing speculation Karmichael Hunt or Darren Lockyer could be named at fullback for the return clash in Brisbane on June 14.
After the Cowboys' 15-14 loss to Canberra in Townsville on Saturday night, Bowen said he knew his position in the Queensland squad was under threat.
He said he was aware of talk Hunt and Lockyer were being considered for the custodian role, but conceded he had little control over selection decisions.
"I'll let the selectors worry about that," he said. "I just want to play footy and do my best for the Cowboys.
"Hopefully I can retain my spot but if it comes to that and I do get dropped, then so be it. Life will go on.
"I just want to play Origin and play for Queensland. Anywhere in the team is fine with me. But fullback is my best and most preferred position."
Bowen missed out on the Australian squad for the May 5 Test against New Zealand because of concerns over his size and ability under the high ball.
He had a nervous 80 minutes at the back against NSW, making an occasional brilliant kicking return but allowing at least three catchable balls to bounce.
Bowen said he was not particularly pleased with his performance and admitted he was desperate for another opportunity.
"Overall, it probably wasn't my best game," he said. "I was happy with bits and pieces of it, but I also know I've got to improve a few things.
"Looking back, I could have caught the ball on the full a couple of times. At the time, I didn't feel I was close enough to get to it the full."
Bowen spent large chunks of the match on the left wing, with rookie Greg Inglis also enjoying time at fullback. Bowen said the tactic had not affected him and denied it was a contributing factor in Queensland's spluttering effort.
"It didn't bother me at all. We spoke about it during the week and I was actually pretty happy about it. It wasn't something we just came up with on the night," he said.
"It gave Greg an opportunity to show what he could do and me as well.
"As a team we just didn't gel how we would have liked."
The team for Game Two will be named next Monday and selectors have indicated there could be changes to the backline that failed to fire in Sydney.
With centres Justin Hodges (hamstring) and Willie Tonga (hamstring) unlikely to be fit for Game Two, utility Shaun Berrigan – who started the first game on the bench – could be elevated into the run-on side.
That would open the door for Bowen to be chosen in the impact interchange role he has been used for in seven of his nine Origin appearances.
The Cowboys' Queensland contingent – Bowen, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott and Carl Webb – escaped the Raiders match unscathed.
But NSW lock Luke O'Donnell, injured in the Origin game, will be sidelined for between three and six weeks with a broken thumb.