Buck stops with Walters when it comes to Maroons
KEVIN Walters has stamped his authority on the Maroons, declaring he will make the final decision on who replaces Johnathan Thurston in the wake of a selection standoff.
Queensland figures are torn over Thurston’s replacement in the No. 6 jersey for next Wednesday’s Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Having served a sevengame apprenticeship from the bench, Michael Morgan is regarded as the man ready to step into the void by selectors and Thurston himself.
But skipper Cameron Smith yesterday declared debutant Cameron Munster was his preference to form an all-Melbourne playmaking quartet with Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.
The Maroons named a 17man squad in alphabetical order and are expected to finalise their team after arriving in Camp Maroon on the Gold Coast. Walters said he will consult senior players such as Smith out of respect for their record-breaking services but made it clear he will make the final call.
“At the end of the day it will be my decision what we do,” he said. “I’ve spoken to Johnathan about it. He is obviously a big fan of Michael Morgan.
“The positive for Munster if we play him at five-eighth is he plays there every week with those boys.
“We’d be silly if we didn’t get their (players’) input. They are the ones at the coalface who have got to do what we’re asking them to do.
“It is important to ask the players but it is a decision the coaching staff will make more so than the players.”
Maroons selector Darren Lockyer scuppered speculation Walters could be on a potential collision course with the panel over how Munster will be used.
“Kevvie will make the final call,” Lockyer said.
“Munster would do a good job in either position. The selectors are comfortable either way. Cam is ready for Origin. He is a special talent and having his Melbourne teammates there will make him feel comfortable whether he is playing centre or five-eighth.”
Smith’s endorsement of Munster could prove crucial in Walters’s ultimate decision.
The 22-year-old is highly regarded in Melbourne and transplanting the Storm’s spine into Maroon will help Munster in his Origin debut.
He has a left-foot kick and plays on the left side for Melbourne, where he would play for Queensland.