2020 Origin Discussion

[Fernando]

I'd pick Jake Friend. He's won 3 premierships now and he was outstanding in the last two Grand Finals. Grant would have to do something special to leapfrog him. Grant and Mahoney are fantastic prospects though.

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Valentine Holmes
3. Dane Gagai
4. Tom Opacic
5. Kyle Feldt
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Josh Papalii
9. Jake Friend
10. Josh McGuire
11. David Fifita
12. Ethan Lowe
13. Jai Arrow

14. Ben Hunt

The other 3 spots to any combo of Sua/Faasuamaleaui/Carrigan/Horsburgh/Collins

 

[Unbreakable]

Qld may as well give the series away before it starts if they pick Kaufusi.

I haven't had him in any of my previous iterations until the one I posted today. He offers very little in attack, but is a very reliable defensive player, which is something we're desperately going to need on the right edge if we're starting Gagai in the centres.

What alternative would you propose?

Lowe - Was very good in his only game last year, but similarly to Kaufusi, offers little in attack. Isn't performing any better than Kaufusi at club land.

Hess - Is in good shape, has Origin experience.. Just don't feel comfortable naming him on the bench, let alone starting on the edge which will have Keary, Cordner & Wighton/JMoz running at it.

Tino - Literally a rookie, no chance he could handle the workload defensively, would get exposed on the edge.

Su'A - Playing decent for Souths, offers more in attack than Kaufusi/Lowe, don't trust him yet though.

That's it, there's no other options.

 

[Alec]

*** P.S - someone in the Queensland heirachy really urgently needs to enquire about convincing Moeaki Fotuaika to make himself available for Queensland.

Yeah, I remember asking about him last year, but I don't remember if I got an answer or not. Would be great if he was eligible for QLD.

QLD has some quality looking middle players coming through, like Carrigan, Flegler, Horsburgh, Collins, maybe even Molo. Some of them might not be ready yet (Flegler), but I'd like to see a few of them make their debuts. The middle is something we need to get right. There's not a lot of choices in other areas, but stuffing up here could cost us quite a bit.

 

[Unbreakable]

Yeah, I remember asking about him last year, but I don't remember if I got an answer or not. Would be great if he was eligible for QLD.

It's a similar scenario to Andrew Fifita / TPJ, etc.

If he wants to play for Queensland, he can make that choice.

If he became available, he'd be the first forward I pick on the bench, weapon.

 

[Fernando]

A middle of Papalii, McGuire, Arrow and Fotuaika looks great

 

[1910]

That Storm kid going to the Titans is a Qlder isn’t it he? Get him in there for sure if he is.

Queensland U16- 2016- bench
Queensland U18- 2017- bench
Queensland U18- 2018- starting with Fifita.

 

[Kooly87]

It's a similar scenario to Andrew Fifita / TPJ, etc.

View attachment 8386

If he wants to play for Queensland, he can make that choice.

If he became available, he'd be the first forward I pick on the bench, weapon.

Can he still play for Tonga and Queensland or does he have to choose?

Obviously if he played for New Zealand he'd be out of contention.

 

[1910]

*** P.S - someone in the Queensland heirachy really urgently needs to enquire about convincing Moeaki Fotuaika to make himself available for Queensland.

When he played Souths MM- Broncos' feeder no one wanted him. Titans took a train and trial deal with him and getting great rewards. He's a great story.

He played QAS Under 18 in 2017, you have to commit to QRL to make those sides/camps.

 

[TheGreatCornholio7]

With Holmes looking like he's going back to the Cowboys, Queensland get a badly needed boost to their Outside Back stocks for 2020.

I'm thinking our Game 1 side might resemble something like this:

1. Ponga
2. Oates/Feldt
3. Morgan
4. Gagai
5. Holmes
6. Munster
7. DCE
8. Arrow
9. Hunt
10. Papalli
11. Kaufusi
12. Fifita
13. McGuire

14. Utility (Milford, Mbye, Norman, Turpin, Brimson)
15. Ofahengaue
16. Welch
17. Lowe

Positions up for grabs:

- Wing: Holmes would slot into one Wing position and Oates is the incumbent on the other but after a very quiet season he'll be under pressure from Kyle Feldt, who also has his kicking to add to the side as a bit of an 'x-factor'. The Sharks also have Ronaldo Mulitalo who debuted last year and he could be a bolter for a spot if he carries his impressive 2019 form into 2020.

- Centre: Gagai gets one spot virtually by default of no other genuine options. Morgan is probably the front runner for the other spot at this stage, but Centre is definitely Queensland's big depth weakness at the moment.

- Edge Backrow: Fully expect Fifita to unseat Matt Gillett, who unless something drastic changes next year, has likely played his last Origin. Kaufusi is under big pressure given he's had a couple of quiet series in a row now. Lowe was outstanding in his Game 3 debut and could easily win the starting spot from Kaufusi giving Queensland a very competent Goal Kicker which they badly needed.

- Utility: Lots of competition for this spot. Milford, Norman and Mbye have done nothing wrong, but also nothing really right either in this role. Outside of the three capped players, there is Turpin who is a specialist Dummy Half but also experienced now in the Halves, along with Brimson who can play in the Halves and Backline and would provide some real spark.

That seems a pretty likely team. I'd prefer Morgan at 5/8 and Munster in the centres as he is a runner who can pop a pass in traffic for a winger. Munster was great at fullback last year but Ponga has to be in the team and I have more confidence in Munsters versatility than Ponga. Oates can't be there I feel he is very soft and just not a very good player.

 

[Unbreakable]

That seems a pretty likely team. I'd prefer Morgan at 5/8 and Munster in the centres as he is a runner who can pop a pass in traffic for a winger. Munster was great at fullback last year but Ponga has to be in the team and I have more confidence in Munsters versatility than Ponga. Oates can't be there I feel he is very soft and just not a very good player.

I suggested Munster at left centre and Morgan at Five-Eighth after last years series.. but if we're being objective, Morgan hasn't played to his potential since 2017.

I'm not sure if he even makes the 17 if he's fit at the moment, perhaps as bench utility.

 

[mrslong]

Of course the first time the origin makes no impact whatsoever on the nrl is the year the broncos don’t get smashed by it. Ffs. Would have loved the origin post season during the Locky years.

 

[Kooly87]

When he played Souths MM- Broncos' feeder no one wanted him. Titans took a train and trial deal with him and getting great rewards. He's a great story.

He played QAS Under 18 in 2017, you have to commit to QRL to make those sides/camps.

He's definitely not listed on the QRL website as eligible at this stage. I'm under the impression he is yet to determine his allegiance to anyone yet, which is why I think someone should definitely be following that up over at the QRL.

He's gone under the radar a bit but if you look at his 2020 numbers he's killing it and putting up similar numbers to Haas only he's doing it with less minutes on the field.

 

[The True King]

I haven't had him in any of my previous iterations until the one I posted today. He offers very little in attack, but is a very reliable defensive player, which is something we're desperately going to need on the right edge if we're starting Gagai in the centres.

What alternative would you propose?

Lowe - Was very good in his only game last year, but similarly to Kaufusi, offers little in attack. Isn't performing any better than Kaufusi at club land.

Hess - Is in good shape, has Origin experience.. Just don't feel comfortable naming him on the bench, let alone starting on the edge which will have Keary, Cordner & Wighton/JMoz running at it.

Tino - Literally a rookie, no chance he could handle the workload defensively, would get exposed on the edge.

Su'A - Playing decent for Souths, offers more in attack than Kaufusi/Lowe, don't trust him yet though.

That's it, there's no other options.

It's a shame Capewell got injured because he was putting his hand up.

Of that bunch I'd probably go with Hess. Looks to be in form and as much as I don't trust him, I think he's better than Su'a and Lowe at present.

 

[Kooly87]

It's a shame Capewell got injured because he was putting his hand up.

Of that bunch I'd probably go with Hess. Looks to be in form and as much as I don't trust him, I think he's better than Su'a and Lowe at present.

Capewell at Centre wouldn't have hurt either. God we are shot for depth in that position.

 

[The True King]

QLD
1. Ponga
2. Feldt
3. Gagai
4. Mbye
5. Holmes
6. Munster
7. DCE
8. Papalii
9. Friend
10. McGuire
11. Fifita
12. Hess
13. Arrow

14. Mann/Hunt
15. Horse
16. Collins
17. Tino

I'd give Carrigan a bench spot if he can cut out giving away stupid penalties

 

[ImNoExpert]

Kayln Ponga
Kyle Feldt
Dane Gagai
Moses Mbye
Valentine Holmes
Cameron Munster
Daly Cherry-Evans
Josh McGuire
Harry Grant
Josh Papalii
Felise Kaufusi
David Fifita
Patrick Carrigan

Ben Hunt
Jai Arrow
Christian Welch
Tino Faasuamaleaui

My 2 cents worth .... for now

 

[Broncs_Fan]

I think Francis Molo will get a spot on the bench. He’s a better player than Welch.

Phillip Sami is a good young player and could be a smoky for the backline.

 

[Broncs_Fan]

What about Israel Folau?