CRUNCH TIME FOR COOPER’S MAROONS
MAROONS 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 were on the line tomorrow night at Suncorp Stadium as the Maroons fight to avert their first Bluerinse in 18 years.
History shows Origin series sweeps lead to carnage 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.
As many as 10 Queenslanders are playing for their futures tomorrow night, including Will Chambers, Corey Oates, Daly CherryEvans, 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 will be remembered at the selection table next season.
“It’s important the Queensland players realise they are playing for their spots,” Lockyer 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 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 makes a statement in the Suncorp dead rubber.
“It’s as important as any other game,” he said.
“I know the series isn’t on the line any more and NSW have wrapped it up and fully deserve it. But we are playing for Queensland jumpers, we lost the series and it’s important to gain momentum to go into next year.”