Allan key in quest to tame the Foxx
MAROONS coach Wayne Bennett is set to throw an Origin selection curve ball by thrusting South Sydney dynamo Corey Allan into a fullback baptism of fire.
Allan is in line to make his State of Origin debut at fullback in Wednesday’s series decider against NSW at Suncorp Stadium.
Named on the wing, Allan could unseat Game Two custodian Valentine Holmes as Bennett looks for a way to stifle the impact of Blues wing weapon Josh Addo-carr.
Holmes has a sensational Origin record as a winger, scoring eight tries in five games, and could be deployed to his most dangerous position after Addo-carr, nicknamed The Foxx, demolished Queensland in Sydney last week.
The Maroons also have other injury concerns after winger Xavier Coates was relegated to light duties at training yesterday, paving the way for Brenko Lee to debut at centre, with Dane Gagai shifting out wide.
Allan, 22, enjoyed a meteoric rise this year after replacing Latrell Mitchell at fullback in Souths’ late run to the NRL preliminary finals, where they were bundled out by Penrith.
Sporting a terrible poker face, Allan giggled when asked if he was playing fullback and said he would have no problems debuting at the back.
“I’m named on the wing,”
he said with a smile. “The plan right now is to focus on coming up against Addo-carr. That’s my main focus. We’ll see how training pans out.
“I don’t think it (fullback) would trouble me too much, I’ve been playing it all year.
“I’m not too fussed about it. I’m comfortable no matter where I play.”
Allan admitted he was stunned to be selected to play State of Origin after enduring a rollercoaster NRL career to date.
The Logan product was released by Bennett at the Broncos in 2018 and made his way to the Rabbitohs, where he reunited with former Brisbane coach Bennett last year.
Bennett recently admitted he did not think Allan would make it in the NRL, but he managed 19 games in 2019 and played a further 10 this year to clinch a spot in Queensland’s 27-man squad.
Despite his meteoric rise at Redfern, Allan has been linked with an exit from Souths after 2021 due to a logjam of backline players and the contract extension of star fullback Latrell Mitchell.