Korbin Sims, Dylan Napa are in a duel for Matt Scott’s Maroons spot
KORBIN Sims and Dylan Napa are in a duel for Matt Scott’s Maroons jersey as Queensland faces a changing of the guard in the front row.
Scott is awaiting scans to confirm his season is over after suffering a knee injury in North Queensland’s golden-point win against the Broncos on Friday night.
Scott’s injury is not only a huge blow to the Cowboys, but also Queensland’s hopes of winning back-to-back State of Origin series under new coach Kevin Walters.
Scott, 31, has played 22 Origins for Queensland, forging a reputation as one of the Maroons’ toughest props.
He has been instrumental throughout Queensland’s decade of dominance, making his Origin debut in 2006, the first year of Mal Meninga’s eight-straight dynasty.
The Maroons have ushered in a new wave of front-row talent in recent years with Josh Papalii and Josh McGuire cementing roles in the team.
With 31-Origin warhorse Nate Myles nearing the end of his representative career, the time has come for Walters to blood some fresh props.
At the top of the pecking order is Napa and Sims.
Sydney Roosters enforcer Napa has been banging on the Origin door for three years and looks destined to finally bring it down this year.
But Sims has emerged as a genuine contender since resurrecting his career at the Broncos under Wayne Bennett.
Sims has been solid in the opening two rounds of the season, going toe-to-toe with Scott on Friday and Broncos halfback Ben Hunt said he should be in contention.
“This definitely opens the door for Korbin,” Hunt said.
“There’s an opportunity for some younger forwards in the Queensland team this season and Korbin has been really good for us.
“He runs the ball hard and defends really well. He just has to keep playing good football and he could get a sniff.”
Sims did not attend this year’s Emerging Origin camp which included other props Tim Glasby, Felise Kaufusi (18th man last year), Lloyd Perrett, Christian Welch, Jarrod Wallace and Napa.
Cowboys youngster Coen Hess has also started the season in hot form and could come into the forwards mix.
Scott and Myles started in Game Three last year with McGuire and Jacob Lillyman off the bench.
Papalii missed the final game with a knee injury. The Maroons must also find a replacement for retired lock Corey Parker.
Walters was already ruing the loss of star centre Greg Inglis to a season-ending knee injury last weekend and Scott’s absence is a further blow in his second year in charge.
The Cowboys are also licking their wounds after a brutal 21-20 derby win against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Winger Antonio Winterstein had surgery on a broken wrist on Friday while fullback Lachlan Coote is expected to miss at least two weeks with a calf injury.
Scott’s injury is pivotal given they lost props James Tamou (Penrith) and Ben Hannant (retired) in the off-season.
Sam Hoare and Shaun Fensom will come into the mix for NRL call-ups next Saturday against Manly and in-form lock Jason Taumalolo said they had the cattle to cover the loss of Scott.
“If Thumper (Scott) is out for a while he will definitely be a huge loss for the team,” Taumalolo said.
“His go-forward and leadership is what drives the team. I have faith with all the younger boys who were on the bench.”
