Queensland’s State of Origin campaign is off to a rocky start with the Maroons forced to delay the initial announcement of players for their 27-man extended squad.
While NSW have already named six players from NRL clubs eliminated from the 2020 season to be part of their squad, the Maroons postponed an announcement on Tuesday amid uncertainty over Kalyn Ponga’s availability.
Ponga, who was part of the Newcastle team knocked out of the finals by South Sydney on Sunday, was expected to be among those named by the Maroons on Tuesday.
The star fullback is however contemplating surgery on a shoulder injury and his eligibility for the campaign is in doubt.
If Ponga is sidelined he’ll join a casualty ward including North Queensland pair Kyle Feldt (groin) and Michael Morgan (shoulder).
Fellow Cowboy Valentine Holmes will be suspended for next month’s series opener in Adelaide while there’s doubt over Wests Tigers captain Moses Mbye (knee).
With Wayne Bennett stepping in to the breach last week as coach following Kevin Walters’ resignation to focus on his new job with Brisbane in the NRL, the Queensland Rugby League is giving Bennett extra time.
Maroons legend Steve Renouf is part of a 32-man shortlist for Queensland’s Indigenous 40-year Origin team in partnership with health organisation Deadly Choices, a roll call of names that Bennett could only dream of having at his disposal.
Renouf however can see echoes of similarity with this year’s build-up to the 1995 series when a Queensland team shorn of multiple stars due to the Super League war went from no-hopers to claiming a 3-0 whitewash.
“NSW, their depth is amazing. This is like ‘wow’ but the thing is, as I mentioned, the ’95 team what they did for Queensland when we weren’t all available for selection, that was just amazing,” Renouf told AAP.
“That’s what the Queensland spirit is all about.”
One of the greatest centres to play the game, Renouf admits there’s a big hole to fill in those positions for the Maroons with Morgan ruled out.
He believes Souths’ Dane Gagai will take one spot but the other is very much up for grabs with Melbourne’s Brenko Lee or even versatile Knights utility Kurt Mann among the contenders.
“There’s a couple of players that have had good seasons … that would fit in really well,” Renouf said.
“Queensland are a bit light on but if anyone can pick a group up, it’s Wayne.
“He’ll be able to get that team together. He’ll get a big say in that team too so he’ll have his own set of eyes on that. He’s a smart operator Wayne.”