SWITCH HIT
King Wally’s plan for Maroons pair
MAROONS legend Wally Lewis has predicted Queensland could adopt a radical plan to rotate Cameron Munster and Michael Morgan at fiveeighth to shock the Blues.
Morgan is favoured to replace Johnathan Thurston in next Wednesday’s blockbuster decider at Suncorp Stadium with coach Kevin Walters to consult captain Cameron Smith today before making his final decision.
It is understood Queensland hierarchy believes Morgan has earned the right to partner Cooper Cronk but Walters is seeking guidance on whether the electric Munster would be up for the challenge.
Having served a sevengame Origin apprenticeship from the bench, Test utility Morgan is prepared for the pressure-cooker of a series decider.
Munster, 22, has played just 57 NRL games and will make his Origin debut, however he would form an all-Melbourne playmaking spine alongside Smith, Cronk and Billy Slater.
Whoever is not selected at five-eighth will play left centre in place of the injured Darius Boyd.
Lewis, a 38-game Queensland representative, said the Maroons could stun NSW and take the heat off Morgan and Munster by rotating the duo.
“It could go either way,” he said. “You might even see both of them playing there. I wouldn’t be surprised.
“It would create a little bit of drama for the opposition defence.
“They would be changing what they had in mind for how they were going to defend.
“If you create any doubt in the mind of the defender then you are halfway there.”
Whichever way Walters sways, he will be taking a gamble with his selection at centre.
Munster has played just one NRL game at centre and none of Morgan’s 117 NRL appearances has come in the defensively challenging position, although he produced a matchwinning play for Queensland in Game Two at right centre.
Walters yesterday named a 17-man squad in alphabetical order and bristled at suggestions it was a concern he did not know who would be replacing the injured Thurston (shoulder).
“It might be a concern for you guys but we know what we’re doing,” he said.