- Feb 27, 2010
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Chambers will be one of the centres, Gagai most likely the other.I suppose we could do worse than below. I kinda feel like Boyd should be FB but I'll be ok with this.
FB. Slater
W. Oates, Holmes
C. Boyd, Gagai
Chambers will be one of the centres, Gagai most likely the other.I suppose we could do worse than below. I kinda feel like Boyd should be FB but I'll be ok with this.
FB. Slater
W. Oates, Holmes
C. Boyd, Gagai
But even if Boyd does move, which I think he will, given Inglis is out, Gagai probably goes to centre and it still leaves the other wing, hence I think Oates gets it.
By the numbers Origin teams
Queensland
1. Billy Slater
2. Corey Oates
3. Brenko Lee
4. Ricky Leutele
5. Darius Boyd
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Korbin Sims
9. Cameron Smith
10. Scott Bolton
11. Josh Papalii
12. Coen Hess
13. Josh McGuire
New South Wales
1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. James Roberts
5. Akuila Uate
6. Cody Walker
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Paul Vaughan
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Junior Paulo
11. Wade Graham
12. Joel Thompson
13. Jack de Belin
Tom Trbojevic would have been at fullback if it wasn't for injury. I don't agree with either 13, but an interesting read.
How does Korbin Sims make an Origin team by the numbers? His numbers are very average. Lillyman has been much better.
You know what stats don't show? The effectiveness of the run. What kind of impact it had. A prop could make 1 run for 30 metres, but that could be due to a defender slipping over and leaving a hole in the line.
I'm not convinced Oates will be replaced by Holmes. The Qld selectors are fiercely loyal and I don't think Kevvie is going to drop a guy who did the job last year simply because Holmes is now not suspended. I think he will want to send a message that one stuff up can make you lose your chance if you aren't careful or delay your chance indefinitely.
Oates hasn't been going bad enough to warrant dropping.
People don't take note of the ruck either, is he taking the first hit up into a set line or the third on the back of good momentum and better play the balls.
The first guy will always make less meters than the guy taking the third one up.
Today's CM saying Bennett is trying to block Milf from playing for Qld.
AN Origin selection war is brewing over Anthony Milford with Wayne Bennett sensationally moving to block his Broncos ace being selected in an extended Queensland squad.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Bennett is on a collision course with Queensland coach Kevin Walters over plans for Milford to be part of Camp Maroon for the series opener on Wednesday week.
The Queensland team for Origin I is named Monday and it was Walters’ intention to include Milford in an extended 19 or 20-man squad as the Maroons sweat on the fitness of Johnathan Thurston.
But Broncos coach Bennett has rocked Queensland hierarchy by making it clear he will not release Milford unless he is guaranteed selection in the Maroons’ starting 17 for Origin I.
Bennett is bracing to lose five Broncos to Origin duty for Saturday week’s road trip to New Zealand to face the Warriors — Darius Boyd, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire and Corey Oates.
With his squad set to be ripped apart, Bennett has no interest in releasing his most dangerous attacking player unless Milford is a Maroons certainty.
Bennett’s hard line stance has major ramifications for Queensland’s selection plans. Michael Morgan is on standby for Thurston (shoulder) at five-eighth and Walters rates Milford a frontline contender to make his Origin debut as Queensland’s No. 14 utility.
But Bennett, a former Maroons coach, says he won’t risk any further disruption to the Broncos as Queensland attempt to buy time for Thurston to recover in time for Origin I.
“Just because Queensland can’t make a decision on Thurston, that’s not my problem,” Bennett said.
“If they want to pick Anthony in their 17, that’s fine, he will be with Queensland, but if he’s not, he’s coming to New Zealand with the Broncos.
“We’ve got a big game to play against the Warriors without our Origin guys and I’m not going to release Anthony to socialise for three or four days in (Origin) camp.
“I’m happy to let him go after we play, but if he’s not in their starting 17, then he will spend the week training with the Broncos.”
Walters could feasibly summon Milford into Camp Maroon after the Broncos-Warriors clash, but that would give the Brisbane pivot just three days to prepare for his Origin debut.
The Milford selection saga opens the door for Melbourne young gun Cameron Munster.
The Storm have the bye next week, clearing the path for Munster to be part of Queensland’s extended squad with a view to an Origin baptism if Thurston is ruled out.
Daly Cherry-Evans is another utility option, but it is understood Milford and Munster are ahead of the Manly skipper in the selection pecking order.
Milford respects Bennett’s stance, saying his focus is helping the Broncos through a traditionally turbulent Origin period.
“I’d love to play Origin, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t, but first and foremost, it’s for the Broncos and I want to play my best footy during the Origin period,” he said.
“It’s a tough period for the club and I want to get the Broncos through that.”