Queensland Rugby League boss John McDonald was the man to unveil the XXXX Queensland Maroons team to meet New South Wales in the first game of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series in Sydney, 2008
The Maroons team includes two debutants – Israel Folau (Storm) and Ben Hannant (Broncos). Much of the talk centred around Scott Prince missing out, the Gold Coast Titans halfback looked set to take the vacant role left by Darren Lockyer but somehow the form no.7 missed the cut and Karmichael Hunt got the nod in the unfamiliar position of the halves.
Bronocs coach and Queensland legend Wayne Bennett has already crucified selectors for not picking the two form halves in Prince and Thurston together, Bennett feeling that the Maroons have played into NSW hands.
Cameron Smith is the new captain and Queensland have shown faith in Jacob Lillyman the Cowboys utility who gets another run in Origin 2008.
The opening match of series is at ANZ Stadium on May 21.
XXXX Maroons Queensland Team v NSW Blues
1. Billy Slater – Storm
2. Brent Tate – Warriors
3. Greg Inglis – Storm
4. Justin Hodges – Broncos
5. Israel Folau – Storm
6. Karmichael Hunt – Broncos
7. Johnathan Thurston – Cowboys
8. Carl Webb – Cowboys
9. Cameron Smith (c) – Storm
10. Petero Civoniceva - Panthers
11. Michael Crocker - Storm
12. Sam Thaiday - Broncos
13. Dallas Johnson - Storm
14. Peter J Marsh - Broncos
15. Ben Hannant - Broncos
16. Nate Myles – Roosters
17. Jacob Lillyman – Cowboys
How stupid are the Queensland selectors? Scott Prince is the best halfback in the game at the moment and he would run rings around Karmichael Hunt at 5/8..The excuses I have read that they couldn’t have two dominat halfbacks playing in the one team..Crap! Wouldn’t it be better two have two geniuses rather than one. By the way I am a Broncos supporter., not a Titans one.
You are right Phil, don’t the QLD team wants to maintain the Sheild for this year? They have made a terrible mistake by partnering Hunt with Thruston. Hunt should be on the bench in place of PJ Marsh while Scott Prince, the current form half back should partner Thurston. That’s my winning combination. Otherwise, the team that wins the first game will win the series and with the choice that the QLD selectors made, I don’t think they will retain the Shield/Trophy this year.