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Smiling Bronco Cobbo on Origin radar

3 minute read

Selwyn Cobbo admits he's been talking to new Queensland coach Billy Slater as a State of Origin call-up becomes a possibility for the in-form Brisbane teenager.

BILLY SLATER.
BILLY SLATER. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Selwyn Cobbo's Brisbane teammates have backed the teenager for a Queensland call-up, while the winger who idolised Greg Inglis couldn't lie when asked if new coach Billy Slater had already come knocking.

The Broncos flyer, who turns 20 next month, scored a hat-trick in a 38-0 thrashing of Manly on Friday night, Cobbo on the end of two pinpoint Adam Reynolds kicks and then sprinting 95m from an intercept for his third.

Opposite winger Corey Oates scored twice, the pair combining for 429 run metres, seven tackle breaks and three line breaks.

The victory sealed their first four-game winning streak since 2017, with a top-four spot now beckoning in a drastic form resurgence since a record 50-6 hiding at the hands of Manly exactly 12 months ago.

While Reynolds' short chip to himself for a brilliant solo try had teammates comparing him to Allan Langer, those stats had coach Kevin Walters reminiscing about the brilliant wingers of the club's six-title history.

"If I think of the great Broncos teams over the years, I think of some great wingers," Walters said in a throwback to Willie Carne, Mick Hancock, Lote Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor.

"I'm really happy for Corey and Selwyn, I love seeing Selwyn get into the open space."

And asked if Cobbo was ready for a State of Origin call, he added: "I think so. I think the bigger the occasion, the more he steps up.

"He needs to keep his feet on the ground and all those things will come."

Cobbo's star hand came after an appearance in Nanango court on Monday for driving offences, the softly-spoken talent doing his best to move on as he also contends with major interest from rival NRL clubs.

Origin is in the mix too, with Cobbo sheepish when asked if Slater had been in touch.

"Not really," he smiled, giving it away.

"He just said keep doing what I'm doing.

"One day ... if that time comes, I'll be ready for that.

"I grew up watching GI (Greg Inglis) play. He was my favourite, I just loved everything he did on the field. He's my idol."

Reynolds is enjoying his partnership with the rising star.

"I'm not sort of surprised (by his form), he's certainly a talent," the captain said.

"I just love seeing him smiling.

"It's good to see him in open space but I don't want to compare him to Greg; he's not Greg Inglis, he's Selwyn Cobbo."

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