State of Origin 2006
April 18th, 2006
For those who don’t know what State of Origin is, it is an annual three game series between Rugby League state sides Queensland and New South Wales.
I’m a Queensland supporter, and for what it is worth (not much, I suspect) here are my selections for the Queensland side:
Fullback: Darren Lockyer (c)
Wing: Rhys Wesser
Centre: Justin Hodges
Centre: Willie Tonga
Wing: Matt Sing
Five-Eighth: Jonathan Thurston
Halfback: Scott Prince
Lock: Travis Norton
Second Row: David Stagg
Second Row: Michael Crocker
Prop: Petero Civoniceva
Hooker: Cameron Smith
Prop: Shane TroncReserves: Matt Bowen, Tonie Carroll, Sam Thaiday, Carl Webb
I think some other players who may come into contention, pending form/injury/suspension are: Tim Smith, Corey Parker, Rod Jensen, Chris Flannery, Casey McGuire.
I also have to say that if Billy Slater wasn’t suspended, if Ty Williams wasn’t injured, and if Shane Webcke wasn’t retired from representative football, I think they would all be in the side.
I realise that there are only five players in my list of seventeen that don’t play for the Bronco’s or the Cowboys. I’ve tried to be completely unbiased - I don’t really care what clubs they play for, just if they’ll help Queensland win. Many people would think switching Lockyer (back) to Fullback is crazy, but I think Prince and Thurston are by far the form halves eligible for Queensland, and not only do they deserve their spot in the team, but it is going to be necessary to beat New South Wales.
What do you reckon? I’d love to hear what everyone else thinks.
[Update] B Walz make a great suggestion in the comments that Kirk Reynoldson would be a great addition to the Queensland back row. Also, in light of Karmichael Hunt’s call up to the national side a couple of days ago, I think it is pretty unlikely that he’ll be left out of the Queensland side. Although it wouldn’t be my choice, I can see Scott Prince missing selection, with Lockyer and Thurston playing the halves, and Hunt at Fullback. I guess we’ll find out when selections get announced next month.
[Update #2] After watching the NRL Sunday Footy Show this morning, it looks unlikely that Michael Crocker will be available for State of Origin selection due to probable suspension after a dangerous lifting tackle against South Sydney yesterday. That is a real shame, as he has been playing some fantastic football recently. Paul Vautin also suggested that he had some inside news that Greg Inglis is highly likely to get picked for the Queensland side. It will be interesting to see if that happens, and if it does whether he plays at fullback, on the wing, or off the interchange bench.
Hey Steve,
having spent the last 8months or so in the States, I haven’t kept upto date on the footy:
What happened to Carmichael Hunt and Shaun Berrigan? and who is Shane Tronc?
Karmichael Hunt and Shaun Berrigan are both playing good footy for the Brisbane Broncos, but Shaun Berrigan’s form hasn’t been outstanding, and while Karmichael Hunt is playing really well, there are about five top level fullbacks eligible for Queensland this year, so he sadly misses out in my selection.
Shane Tronc is a young front rower playing for the North Queensland Cowboys - he is big, strong and aggressive. He may even have a shot at the Australian Test side which plays the Kiwi’s in a few weeks.
As Matt Sing has declared himself ineligible for representative football, I think Greg Inglis from the Storm will be picked on the wing.
I would like to see Kirk Reynoldson from the Knights in the backrow when he comes back from injury over David Stagg as he has a big motor that just keeps running and running.
I think Travis Norton is past his best years and I would have either Ashley Harrison from the Roosters or Tonie Carroll playing lock.
I didn’t realise Matt Sing was ineligible…bummer.
I’ve heard that Craig Bellamy is discouraging the selectors from picking Greg Inglis for Origin, on the basis he is so young. It’ll be interesting to see if they heed the advice or not. The kid sure has wheels!
I forgot about Kirk Reynoldson, he is a bit of a machine - good call that.
I haven’t seen much of Ashley Harrison (did he used to play at Souths?), so I’m not too sure about him.
One player I did forget about totally was Ben Ross, but he stuffed his knee on Friday night against the Panthers, so he’ll be out for the season (AC Ligament, apparently).