- Jan 25, 2014
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MAROONS coach Kevin Walters has left the door open for Josh McGuire to play his way into a maiden starting jersey.
McGuire will clash with 29-game Queensland veteran Nate Myles at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night in a showdown which could define the Maroons’ front row.
The Broncos prop has made a remarkable return from an achilles injury this year, earning a Kangaroos debut last Friday.
McGuire is a certainty to be in Walters’ team for the series opener on June 1 but is likely to come off the bench, as he did in his two Origin matches last year.
Manly prop Myles has been a mainstay of Queensland’s forward pack during an outstanding representative career which has seen him miss just one Origin since debuting in 2006.
It is likely Walters will run with Myles and Test prop Matt Scott as his starting front rowers but the rookie coach said he was not sold on his 17.
“He (McGuire) is certainly right in the mix after his performance for Australia the other night,” Walters said.
“He’s doing everything right for the Broncos.
“In the Test, he had a good impact when he did come off the bench.
“We’re not sure who’s going to start where and play where.”
Myles came into the Queensland side as a backrower, making the move to the engine room in 2013 following the retirement of Petero Civoniceva.
He has been one of the Maroons’ most consistent players over a decade which has yielded nine series wins.
“They always get the job done well,” Walters said of Scott and Myles.
“All our middle guys are in good touch. They all play a very important role for Queensland.
“We’ve got to get through the next couple of weeks before we name our 17.
“Once we do that, we’ll sort out our starting positions and who’s coming off the bench.”
McGuire, 26, made his Origin debut last year but missed the historic 52-6 decider victory because of the achilles injury which also kept him out of the grand final.
His early-season form earnt Test selection under Mal Meninga and he repaid the former Queensland coach’s faith with 131m from 13 runs in a 30-minute cameo against the Kiwis.
“He’ll get a lot of confidence from it,” said McGuire’s Kangaroos, Queensland and Broncos teammate Darius Boyd.
“He’s been our best player pretty much. He’s come back from an achilles, played nine games and played for Australia.
“It will do him a world of good going back to Brisbane. When Origin comes around, he’ll be even better again.”
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McGuire will clash with 29-game Queensland veteran Nate Myles at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night in a showdown which could define the Maroons’ front row.
The Broncos prop has made a remarkable return from an achilles injury this year, earning a Kangaroos debut last Friday.
McGuire is a certainty to be in Walters’ team for the series opener on June 1 but is likely to come off the bench, as he did in his two Origin matches last year.
Manly prop Myles has been a mainstay of Queensland’s forward pack during an outstanding representative career which has seen him miss just one Origin since debuting in 2006.
It is likely Walters will run with Myles and Test prop Matt Scott as his starting front rowers but the rookie coach said he was not sold on his 17.
“He (McGuire) is certainly right in the mix after his performance for Australia the other night,” Walters said.
“He’s doing everything right for the Broncos.
“In the Test, he had a good impact when he did come off the bench.
“We’re not sure who’s going to start where and play where.”
Myles came into the Queensland side as a backrower, making the move to the engine room in 2013 following the retirement of Petero Civoniceva.
He has been one of the Maroons’ most consistent players over a decade which has yielded nine series wins.
“They always get the job done well,” Walters said of Scott and Myles.
“All our middle guys are in good touch. They all play a very important role for Queensland.
“We’ve got to get through the next couple of weeks before we name our 17.
“Once we do that, we’ll sort out our starting positions and who’s coming off the bench.”
McGuire, 26, made his Origin debut last year but missed the historic 52-6 decider victory because of the achilles injury which also kept him out of the grand final.
His early-season form earnt Test selection under Mal Meninga and he repaid the former Queensland coach’s faith with 131m from 13 runs in a 30-minute cameo against the Kiwis.
“He’ll get a lot of confidence from it,” said McGuire’s Kangaroos, Queensland and Broncos teammate Darius Boyd.
“He’s been our best player pretty much. He’s come back from an achilles, played nine games and played for Australia.
“It will do him a world of good going back to Brisbane. When Origin comes around, he’ll be even better again.”
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