NEW Queensland coach Billy Slater has fired his first salvo at the Blues, warning the Maroons are building the depth of talent to shock NSW and engineer another Origin boilover this season. Slater will pick his inaugural Maroons side in two weeks, and the rookie mentor is increasingly confident of Queensland’s revenge mission to reclaim the Origin shield – starting in Game One on June 8 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. The form of incumbent halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster, the resurgence of Queensland teams the Broncos and Cowboys and the superb form of hooker Harry Grant has given Slater confidence the Maroons can deny the Blues a fourth title in five years. Injuries to key players in last year’s series loss to NSW raised concerns about Queensland’s depth.
But the emergence of Pat Carrigan, Jeremiah Nanai, Heilum Luki, Reuben Cotter and Selwyn Cobbo has bolstered the Maroons’ stocks. And with the Blues in danger of losing last year’s dynamic duo Latrell Mitchell (hamstring) and Tom Trbojevic (knee) to injury, Slater believes the Maroons have the ammunition to strike back. “I’m loving the number of players who are putting their hand up for selection,” Slater said. “I am looking not just to select a team of 17, but to build a squad, and the competition for spots this year has been as healthy as it’s ever been for Queensland. “I have never doubted our quality of players. We have a talented group. My job is to make sure our best players are playing their best football and that there is a unity in the group to get the best out of each other. “I am watching several Queensland players closely, not only the experienced guys but also some young guys who have jumped out of the ground and are making a noise for themselves. “A number of players have been putting the form on the board over the last 10 weeks and the guys who will be wearing the Queensland jumper June 8 will certainly deserve it and earn their spot.” Broncos trio Carrigan, Corey Oates and teenage wing sensation Cobbo are all in contention for selection, while North Queensland’s stunning surge to third on the NRL ladder could sweep a host of Cowboys into Maroons colours. Valentine Holmes only has to stay fit to be a shoo-in for a Queensland centre berth, Kyle Feldt is eyeing a wing spot, while young guns Cotter and Nanai are banging on Slater’s door in the wake of the Cowboys’ Magic Round thrashing of the Tigers. “It’s been great to see the resurgence of the Cowboys. They are a serious team and that’s great for our stocks,” Slater said. “I am really pleased to see Reuben playing so well. I like the fact that he has gone through adversity. He’s had a few knee reconstructions, so I know how hard he has built his game to where he is now. “He’s a Queenslander, and I want our players playing consistent football. He is physically and mentally tough. “Although Jeremiah is only 19 and has played only 14 games, he has been really exciting. He has brought some fresh energy to the right-hand side of the Cowboys.
“He loves chasing kicks and it’s a great sign of someone wanting to be in the game and in the action. “I’ve got some ideas on who I would like where, but three weeks is a long time in our game. All it takes is one injury and that can affect other positions, so it’s important our Queensland guys keep fit and keep playing well.” Warriors young gun Reece Walsh was applying pressure to incumbent Kalyn Ponga for the fullback spot, but Slater defended the form of the Knights No.1. That suggests Ponga will join Munster, Cherry-Evans and Grant in a formidable Queensland spine, injury permitting, for the series opener. “Kalyn made a huge difference in Game Three last year (won 20-18 by Queensland),” Slater said. “It is really tough playing in a team that isn’t going so well. The Knights are in a hole at the moment, and ideally you want your best players playing good football in a winning team.
“But do I think Kalyn is playing poorly? No, I don’t actually. “I’m seeing a whole lot of fight and effort in Kalyn’s game. He is playing really tough and getting himself involved, so it doesn’t overly concern me how the Knights are going. “There was a whole heap of noise around his contract stuff with the Knights, but he has signed the deal and his future is settled now. “I know what Kalyn can produce in the Origin arena and it’s part of my role and my coaching staff’s role to get the best out of him and all the guys.”
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