HOW QUEENSLAND SHAPE UP FOR ORIGIN I
FULLBACK – BILLY SLATER (age 34)
Origins: 29
Origin tries: 12
The last of the Big Four has announced he will bow out from rep footy after the 2018 Origin series, ensuring the Maroons will want to send one of their all-time greats out a winner. Back to his dynamic best after shoulder dramas, Slater will also offer invaluable guidance to a new-look Maroons side.
WING – VALENTINE HOLMES (age 22)
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 4
Cronulla’s tryscoring machine is in such rare form he has broken up Origin’s most potent left-edge attacking duo. The Test winger has kept his spot after a hat-trick in game three last year, keeping out Darius Boyd who had combined with centre Greg Inglis to score a total of 35 Origin tries.
CENTRE – GREG INGLIS (capt, age 31)
Origins: 30
Origin tries: 18 (Origin record)
Has vowed to lead by example after taking over from retired captain Cameron Smith. Back from a horror 2017 battling issues on and off the field, the devastating centre is primed to go to another level as skipper. Scary.
CENTRE – WILL CHAMBERS (age 30)
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 2
May not be setting the world alight with an out-of-sorts Melbourne but the Test centre always steps up in the maroon jersey. Adds defensive muscle to Queensland’s all-Test back line.
WING – DANE GAGAI (age 27)
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 7
The first winger to win the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series when he received the honour last year. The South Sydney recruit will look to extend his Origin tryscoring knack – he has seven in as many games since his 2015 debut.
FIVE-EIGHTH – CAMERON MUNSTER (age 23)
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Made one of the great Origin debuts in game three last year. Claims to have sorted out differences with Maroons halves partner Ben Hunt after their boozy 2017 Rugby League World Cup fisticuffs that led to Munster being sent home from Kangaroos camp.
HALFBACK – BEN HUNT (age 28)
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Realises dream of wearing Queensland No.7 jersey after making Origin debut off the bench in game three last year. Former Bronco has revelled in lucrative move to St George Illawarra this year, emerging as the NRL’s form halfback. Battling thigh complaint.
PROP – DYLAN NAPA (age 25)
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
Queensland’s enforcer. The fiery redhead has been told by Maroons selectors not to change his aggressive approach despite being lucky not to be cited for a controversial tackle that broke an NRL opponent’s jaw recently.
HOOKER – ANDREW McCULLOUGH (age 28)
Origins: Nil
A decade-long wait is finally over for the Brisbane rake thanks to Cameron Smith’s shock representative retirement. A tackling machine, McCullough will also add attacking spark with his kicking game.
PROP – JARROD WALLACE (age 26)
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 1
Gold Coast workhorse kept in the starting front row despite the availability of Matt Scott. Must step up as leader of the Maroons pack in Scott’s absence after impressive Origin debut series last year.
BACK-ROWER – GAVIN COOPER (age 32)
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 1
A big beneficiary of Queensland’s loyalty policy. Out of sorts with second-last North Queensland, Cooper will need to dig deep to help the Maroons stave off a monster NSW pack. Can’t rely on running off Johnathan Thurston anymore.
BACK-ROWER – FELISE KAUFUSI (age 26)
Origins: Nil
One of three Queensland debutants, Kaufusi gets his Origin chance in the absence of Test back-rower Matt Gillett (neck). Another from Melbourne’s production line, Kaufusi is a lethal edge runner.
LOCK – JOSH MCGUIRE (age 28)
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 0
Battling an ankle injury that has sidelined him for five weeks. The tough lock won the Ron McAuliffe Medal as Queensland’s player of the series last year.
BENCH – MICHAEL MORGAN (age 26)
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 1
A shadow of the player who took North Queensland to the 2017 NRL grand final and starred at the Rugby League World Cup. Saved from Origin axe by selectors’ loyalty and utility value. Must find form fast.
BENCH – JOSH PAPALII (age 26)
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 1
The Canberra wrecking ball has bounced back from being relegated to NSW Cup by Ricky Stuart just last month. The Raiders juggernaut adds welcome size and experience to the Maroons pack.
BENCH – COEN HESS (age 21)
Origins: 2
Origin tries: 0
The lanky back-rower kept his spot despite an underwhelming start to the season with the equally disappointing North Queensland. Usually a try magnet, Hess’ strike rate has suffered as he adjusts to becoming an 80-minute player at the Cowboys.
BENCH – JAI ARROW (age 22)
Origins: Nil
The childhood Gorden Tallis fan looks set to channel the Raging Bull on debut. The fiery forward earned a surprise Origin nod after leaving Brisbane to nail down a starting spot with Gold Coast this year.
