Maroon jerseys are on the line
Slater set to skipper team his own way
hierarchy have warned Queensland stars heads could roll if they crash to a humiliating 3-0 series defeat in Origin III.
Queensland selector Darren Lockyer said Origin jumpers are on the line tomorrow night at Suncorp Stadium as the Maroons fight to avert their first Blue-rinse in 18 years.
History shows Origin series sweeps lead to mayhem at the selection table.
The last time Queensland lost 3-0 in 2000, the Maroons swept a broom through their set-up, sacking 12 players, plus coach Mark Murray, whose successor Wayne Bennett presided over a new era the following season.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters has overseen a regeneration of the side over the past 12 months and has shown he is not afraid to wield the axe in the pursuit of success.
As many as 10 Queensland players are playing for their futures tomorrow night, including Will Chambers, Corey Oates, Daly Cherry-Evans, Andrew McCullough, Gavin Cooper, Felise Kaufusi, Jarrod Wallace, Coen Hess, Ben Hunt and Tim Glasby.
Lockyer, a survivor of the 2000 squad that was embarrassed by the Blues, says performances tomorrow night in Origin III will be remembered at the selection table next year.
“It’s important the Queensland players realise they are playing for their spots,” Lock- yer said. “I know the next series is 12 months away but what you do with the jersey always resonates with the coach.
“Some guys will want to show pride in their performance (in Origin III) not only for their families but for their positions in the team as well.
“I don’t think we need to panic and start again. But certainly some tweaks to the side can help Queensland rise again and challenge for the Shield next year.”
Cooper, who turns 33 next month, is no certainty to return next season, while Titans front-rower Wallace is under pressure to prove his Origin bona fides after running for 43m and 44m in the opening two games.
Game One debutants McCullough and Kaufusi have yet to taste a win in the Origin arena. Hess’s club form for the Cowboys has been erratic, while Chambers has been emphatically outpointed by NSW centre opposite Latrell Mitchell in this series.
New skipper Billy Slater, who plays his 31st and final Origin game tomorrow night, says it’s critical that Queensland’s Generation Next make a statement in the Suncorp dead rubber.
CERTAINLY SOME TWEAKS TO THE SIDE CAN HELP QUEENSLAND RISE AGAIN AND CHALLENGE FOR THE SHIELD NEXT YEAR
Slater’s long-time Storm teammate Smith has been peerless as a club, Test and Origin skipper, winning six of seven series as Queensland captain after taking over from Lockyer.
Smith will be present at Suncorp Stadium when he and Slater are honoured for their services to State of Origin, but the champion fullback is determined to leave his own leadership mark.
Asked if he would seek out Smith’s help, Slater said: “Not really – I am going to go out there and do my job.
“I haven’t spoken too much about captaincy with anyone. I’ve learnt a lot as a captain just watching Cam and playing under Darren Lockyer.
“They are great leaders of men and I will work it out myself.
“I hope I can play my part for the team, that’s my role. I have always contributed as much as I can and this is no different. I’m not going to try to be someone I’m not or try to do someone else’s job because I’m captain.
“I want to perform my role and hopefully we have 17 contributors and come away with the win – that’s the ideal scenario.”
Slater said the squad were buoyed by the presence of Inglis, who was outstanding in the opening two games before breaking his thumb against the Cowboys last week.
“Greg has arrived in camp,” Slater said. “It’s good to have Greg in camp, that’s for sure. He is a great leader and he was really impressive as captain in the first two games.
“I want to go out and get that winning feeling. Playing for the state is important to us and we want to win for the people of Queensland.”
Maroons coach Kevin Walters challenged his troops not to fail Slater as Queensland look to avoid their first 3-0 series rout in 18 years.
“It’s a special moment for Billy, captaining his state, and the other 16 guys owe him a send-off that is just right,” he said.