Queensland’s Origin identity is under attack like never before.
It started before this year’s State of Origin Game I, where NSW dominated the Maroons 28-4 on their home patch. It started with the team selections for that match, when the Queensland selectors were faced with a quandary.
Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis and Matt Scott were all out injured. Corey Parker had retired. The Maroons selectors had some huge boots to fill. Also with an ageing forward pack, the doubt was there that did they bring in some new blood?
NSW had done that by saying ciao to old stagers Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Robbie Farah, and bringing in several newcomers. Or should the Maroons stick with the core they had won them the 2016 series and many, many before that? And what should they do with now fit-again Queensland great Billy Slater?
The Canetoads chiefs made some tough calls. Slater, perhaps the greatest fullback to have graced the greatest game of all, was controversially left out and Darius Boyd would remain at fullback. Valentine Holmes, despite winning the 2016 NRL grand final with Cronulla and starring on the wing for Australia at last year’s Four Nations, was overlooked. Corey Oates kept his spot.
The proverbial hit the fan. Queensland, so often united and together at Origin time, went to war with itself. Many wanted Slater, a future Immortal back in. It was a decision that divided the state. Queensland politician Bob Katter launched an official complaint about the Melbourne Storm star’s omission. Only in Australia do politics and the sublimely absurdness of rugby league representative selection mix.
There was also drama over the naming of Anthony Milford for the injured Thurston. The Maroons wanted to select both players, picking the Bronco on an extended bench, to give Thurston up until the last minute to prove his fitness. This would mean Milford would miss an NRL game for his club side Brisbane. But Brisbane coach, and iconic Queenslander, Wayne Bennett wasn’t having it. He slammed the move and was at loggerheads with Maroons coach Kevin Walters.
Despite concerns over NSW’s young, bigger, stronger, more mobile forward pack, Queensland stuck with their past charges. Jacob Lillyman, Nate Myles and Aiden Guerra were selected, despite the strong forms claims of several younger forwards. It was pick and stick – the Queensland way. Stay faithful and ye shall be rewarded.
Of course the Maroons pack was bashed and beaten up in Game I by the Blues big men, with Andrew Fifita the wrecking ball in chief. David Klemmer, Aaron Woods, Wade Graham and rookie Jake Trbojevic had a field day. They laid the platform in the middle that the likes of Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney thrived off.
Game I was a big slap in the face of for the Queensland Origin culture, their way of life. The post-game introspection was deep and painful.
Now as Game II approaches the Maroons have swung the axe. Pick and stick is gone. Queensland are learning it is harder to pick and stick when you are losing. It is a case of out with the old and in with the new. Young firebrands Jarrod Wallace and Coen Hess join Dylan Napa in the side. Bolter Tim Glabsy and Cowboys back-rower Gavin Cooper were also brought in. Veterans Myles, Lillyman, Sam Thaiday and Guerra were all kicked out. All, with the exception of Guerra, will never play for Queensland again.
Slater and Thurston are also back, with Holmes in to make his debut on the wing. Oates, centre Justin O’Neill and Milford, who has a shoulder injury, have been cast out.
But some infighting remains. Before the team for Game II was announced Queensland coach Paul Green launched an impassioned plea that his player Hess was not ready for the Origin cauldron. Green said Hess could be scarred by the experience. Queensland picked him anyway, though they have placed the 20-year old on a media ban.
These are interesting times in the Sunshine state, nervous and desperate to keep its winning streak of 10 series in the past 11 years alive. Queensland’s Origin soul was built on being the underdog, of punching above its weight, of being the poor cousin of the richer, bigger southerners.
But in the past decade the dynamic has changed. The Maroons are top dog. They have plenty of players to pick from, unlike in the 1980s and 1990s. They possess some of the greatest players to have ever picked up a Steeden. They also aren’t short of a quid.
But a right now a fear of failure is driving them, a strong fear that their Origin domination might be about to end. The squabbling and media in-fighting between their coaches and ex-players, that has previously been reserved for the Blues in, has infected the Maroons. They haven’t closed ranks like they normally do. Meanwhile NSW have named an unchanged side and quietly go about their business.
What impact will this all have? We may see it in Game II. But you cannot write off the wounded Queenslander. All New South Welshman still have nightmares about Mark Coyne’s last-minute try in 1994. Beware the Maroon backed into corner, history tells us.
One way or the other - June 21 in Sydney is shaping up to be epic.
