Morgan no lock for pivotal Origin role
QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters says Australian fiveeighth Michael Morgan will not walk into the Maroons’ No. 6 jumper, declaring Broncos rival Anthony Milford a genuine contender for the spot.
Morgan’s development as an elite level five- eighth will continue tomorrow night when he opposes in- form Jarryd Hayne in the World Cup semi- final between Australia and Fiji at Suncorp Stadium.
Like the Kangaroos, the Maroons are on the hunt for a new No. 6 in 2018, with Cowboys champion Johnathan Thurston’s representative retirement opening the door for a raft of candidates.
Morgan is in the best form of his career and he steered the Cowboys to last month’s NRL grand final in the absence of Thurston, proof for many he is the ideal five- eighth successor for Queensland.
But as Morgan prepares for his 11th Test tomorrow night and his fifth as a starting pivot, Walters says the Cowboy’s fine World Cup campaign is no guarantee of a Maroons berth.
The Queensland coach ( pictured) says Milford, who made his debut in Origin I last season, and Cameron Munster, who was also blooded in the decider, both have claims to the No. 6 guernsey made famous by Wally Lewis.
“It will be an ongoing battle for all those guys,” Walters said. “Michael Morgan’s finish to the season was simply brilliant and he certainly hasn’t lost any ground, but I’ll be keeping my options open and assessing all the contenders.
“I certainly haven’t forgotten guys like Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt and what Cameron Munster did at fiveeighth in Origin III was truly special.
“Morgan was very good in the decider ( playing centre), so as long as those guys are around, it gives us hope for the next few years.”
Morgan will partner Cooper Cronk in the Australian halves against the Bati – a possible glimpse of the Queensland halves alliance in the Maroons’ bid for a 12th series crown in 13 years next season.
But Walters shapes as the X- factor in the development of Milford next season.
He has returned as Brisbane’s assistant coach and when Milford produced his sparkling season in 2015, nearly winning the Clive Churchill Medal, the quick- stepping pivot had Walters as his mentor at Red Hill.
Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough challenged Milford to be a more consistent force in 2018 and he believes Walters can help the fiveeighth achieve that.
“Kevvie can take ‘ Milf’ to another level,” McCullough said.
“For what Kev has done and achieved in the game, he can help Anthony tactically and get him the confidence to attack the footy.
“Milf can’t just sit back and watch games go by.
“The quality halves are able to dictate the game and it’s up to Anthony if he wants to do that. Having Kev here will certainly help him do that.”