Victorious Queensland coach Mal Meninga has called for a Queensland heavy Australian Test side when selectors sit down to pick the national team at the end of the year.
After winning the last two Origin series and the last four Origin game, Meninga’s call is common sense but definantly needed in the day and age of selectors falling back on the “loyalty” excuse for not taking chances on uncapped player.
So, if an Australian side was being selected today, what would the side be and how many New South Wales players would even make the side?
If you were selecting an Australian side based soley on the first two Origin games….you’d have to think it would look like this:
Potential Australian Test Team Based On State Of Origin Form
1. Karmichael Hunt
2. Greg Inglis
3. Justin Hodges
4. Steve Bell
5. Brent Tate
6. Darren Lockyer (Captain)
7. Jonathan Thurston
8. Steve Price
9. Cameron Smith
10. Petero Civoneceva
11. Willie Mason
12. Carl Webb
13. Dallas Johnson
14. Shaun Berrigan
15. Brent Kite
16. Jacob Lillyman
17. Tonie Carroll
That is basically the Queensland side with Nate Myles and Neville Costigan replaced by Willie Mason (Who played well in Origin Two) and Brent Kite (Who also played pretty well).
I can honestly say that I can not find another place in the team for a New South Welshman which just shows that nearly the entire side was outplayed by their Queensland counterpart.
Meninga need not worry, I’m sure the Australian side will be dominated by Queenslander who will be fully deserving of their place.
It may not be as dramatic as the side selected above, after all, the rest of the NRL season and Final series has yet to be played, but it will go very, very close.
