WAYNE WIELDS AXE FOR ORIGIN DECIDER
WAYNE Bennett has taken an axe to the Maroons, with the Queensland coach making a raft of changes and blooding four debutants for tonight’s State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.
The Maroons will run out against NSW with a vastly different looking team to what was named late last week as Bennett looks to spark a boilover in Brisbane.
Bennett confirmed yesterday that South Sydney No. 1 Corey Allan would debut at fullback, with Valentine Holmes shifting to the wing to contain Blues weapon Josh Addo-carr. Winger Xavier Coates (groin) failed a fitness test at training and will be replaced by Newcastle’s Edrick Lee on debut.
Lee’s cousin Brenko Lee will cap off a premiership-winning season with Melbourne by making his Origin debut at centre, replacing Kurt Capewell. Capewell will shift to the left-edge back row position, moving Felise Kaufusi to the other side of the field and Jaydn SU’A to the bench. Prop Dunamis Lui will drop out of the 17. The Queensland bench will consist of debutant hooker Harry Grant, Jai Arrow, Lindsay Collins and SU’A.
Bennett said Allan would be up to the test of debuting at fullback in an Origin decider.
“It’s obviously a big test, he answered all that with us in the last two years at Souths,” he said. “He was on the wing and handled it well, then he came into fullback when Latrell (Mitchell) got injured and he did a good job there.
“He has got his confidence and he is as good an option as we have got with all the injuries. I am confident in Corey.”
The Maroons will front out in front of 50,000 fans at a Maroon-washed Suncorp Stadium and Bennett said he was excited to see what Grant could bring in his Origin debut, where he will relieve starting hooker Jake Friend after the opening exchanges.
“He is a bit like Corey Allan, they get an opportunity and Harry has shown like Corey he can match at club level so I am sure he will match it out here tomorrow night,” the Maroons coach said.