3 minute read
How the Queensland side stacks up for Origin I
HOW QUEENSLAND SHAPE UP FOR STATE OF ORIGIN I:
Fullback - Kalyn Ponga
Age: 24
Origins: 4
Tries: 0
The elusive fullback will look to repay coach Billy Slater after his call-up despite Newcastle's indifferent NRL form. Still to see his best for the Maroons.
Winger - Selwyn Cobbo
Age: 20
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
His power, speed and fend have drawn comparisons to a young Greg Inglis. Cobbo will be out to prove he's not too young for Origin football as some pundits have predicted.
Valentine Holmes
Age: 26
Origins: 10
Tries: 9
Holmes has reinvented himself as a centre this season but the Maroons will be hoping his try-scoring strike-rate doesn't take a hit with his shift off the wing.
Centre - Dane Gagai
Age: 31
Origins: 19
Tries: 11
With a debutant and five-eighth lining up in the NSW centres, veteran Gagai needs to use his game smarts to get the better of the Blues.
Winger - Xavier Coates
Age: 21
Origins: 5
Tries: 2
Has shown maturity beyond his years in his five Origin appearances. His aerial prowess has prompted the Blues to select Daniel Tupou ahead of Josh Addo-Carr.
Five-eighth - Cameron Munster
Age: 27
Origins: 13
Tries: 1
Munster is back in career-best shape and playing an exciting, confident brand after nearly losing his Melbourne contract.
Halfback - Daly Cherry-Evans (captain)
Age: 33
Origins: 17
Tries: 1
The captain's crowning moment in a 2020 series win was tarnished by last year's trouncing, but Cherry-Evans believes he has the team to orchestrate another Maroons triumph.
Prop - Tino Fa'asuamaleau
Age: 22
Origins: 6
Tries: In rampaging form despite Gold Coast's struggles, the move to prop will mean plenty of ball and some spicy clashes with rival Payne Haas.
Hooker - Ben Hunt
Age: 32
Origins: 11
Tries: 2
Retained at hooker after starring there in a face-saving Game III win for Queensland last season, Hunt is a proven performer at this level.
Prop - Josh Papalii
Age: 30
Origins: 20
Tries: 3
The spiritual leader of the Maroons' pack now has some fresh faces around him to help turn the tables in a forward battle won well by the Blues last year.
Back-rower - Kurt Capewell
Age: 28
Origins: 6
Tries: 1
Has helped turn the Broncos' fortunes around, particularly defensively, since a move from Penrith and will be an important part of that process again for Queensland.
Back-rower - Felise Kaufusi
Age: 30
Origins: 12
Tries: 1
A familiar face in a Queensland back row that will be stinging after last year's series loss and will be keen to prove himself ahead of a 2023 move to the Dolphins.
Lock - Reuben Cotter
Age: 23
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
Handed a massive task up against Blues lock Isaah Yeo, but given the ultimate vote of confidence as one of coach Slater's "first picked" based on his storming 2022 form.
Interchange:
Harry Grant
Age: 24
Origins: 3
Tries: 1
Starting on the bench with Ben Hunt preferred at hooker, Grant says he's over a groin concern and will be keen to poke his nose through a tiring Blues defence.
Lindsay Collins
Age: 26
Origins: 4
Tries: 0
A blue-collar worker who debuted in the successful 2020 Queensland series win, back from an ACL injury and won't shirk his task in the middle.
Patrick Carrigan
Age: 24
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
A terrific return to form with Brisbane since last year's ACL tear has seen the middle forward beat a host of contenders to the bench for his Origin debut.
Jeremiah Nanai
Age: 19
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
The teenager has caught the eye with his aerial prowess as a try-scoring backrower, but has been a workhorse defensively too for the Cowboys.
18th man:
Tom Dearden
Age: 21
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
Superb form for North Queensland has earned the halfback a stay with the squad in a feel-good story for a talent who has sparkled since moving on from Brisbane.