Queensland have flexed their Origin muscle, naming an even stronger line-up than the team that won last years series – as they welcome back Darren Lockyer who was injured last year and re-introduce Justin Hodges who was suspended for Game 2 and 3 in 2008.
Surprisingly the Maroons named Ashley Harrison in the side, while an experienced campaigner – the Titans forward has had serious problems with his defence in 2009 and has directly leaked plenty of tries, something that NSW will no doubt focus directly on. Harrison was in a similar position to Anthony Watmough for NSW, both talented and experienced but also known for their arm-grabbing tackling technique at times.
As expected Queensland named Mick Crocker despite only playing 2 games for the Bunnies after returning the NRL. His physical presence and unmatched big-game experience will be invaluable. Some felt the Maroons would slot veteran Wendell Sailor onto the bench, his motivation and aura alone would bring massive advantages off the interchange bench. Don’t be surprised to see Wendell at some stage in the series if the Maroons are struggling.
The only other interesting selection was Nate Myles, the Roosters forward has been on the improve in recent weeks but along with fellow Bondi forwards hasn’t been totally dominant. The X-Factor from someone like a Dave Taylor could have been another ace up the Maroons sleeve.
QUEENSLAND:
1 Billy Slater
2 Darius Boyd
3 Greg Inglis
4 Justin Hodges
5 Israel Folau
6 Darren Lockyer
7 Johnathan Thurston
8 Steve Price
9 Cameron Smith
10 Petero Civoniceva
11 Ashley Harrison
12 Sam Thaiday
13 Dallas Johnson
Interchange:
14 Karmichael Hunt
15 Ben Hannant
16 Nate Myles
17 Michael Crocker
North Queensland Cowboys prop Matt Scott has flown to Melbourne as 18th man.
Good morning. Overall i think QLD have picked a solid side. However hearing the comments on the news last night that the QLD selectors have stayed “Loyal” to last years victorious side concerns me. Are we getting complacent? This is exactly what happened with the NSW Origin side 4 years ago, and look what happened when they stayed “Loyal” to their winning side and didnt pick in from players!!!
A Player like Nate Myles is certainly not in form and we could have picked a handful of other quality players who deserve the jersey and could certainly do the job Myles has done in the past..
I hope that we are not heading down the path of complcency?? I am a QUEENSLANDER through and through and would love nothing more than to see our QLD boys smash the Blues again for the 4th year in a row. Just better make sure that Mal and his staff get our lads in the right frame of mind and ready for next Wednesday night..
that/s an alright team but blues got a better team ! 😛
they should’ve picked stagg
up here in PNG, every people are takling about the Queensland side, i think they are going to win this game through their forward pack, with Steve Price and Petero Civoniceva going in the 1st half Myles and hannant off the bench as well as Crocker this is gona be one hell of a contest.
GO THE MAROONS
What a Hodges, Englis,Michaelhunt,Folau,Slater combinations which leads to another successful winning History…..
GO THE MAROOOOONS!!!!!!!!!!!
I think Maroons got the best line up…
GO THE MAROONS
TO MY OPINION I WILLIE TONGA SHOULD REPLLACE THE INJURED MAROONS CENTRE JUSTIN HODGES.
I think Maroons will win all 3 games this year(2009)…..hey iam talking about a Kangaroo team here!….. Blues i can feel the pain!
GO MIGHTY MAROONS!!