BILLY CONSIDERS AN UP-SEL
Cobbo in hunt for Maroons baptism in Origin I
QUEENSLAND coach Billy Slater has revealed he is considering Selwyn Cobbo for a shock Origin debut as Brisbane’s Magic Round rivals Manly hatch plans to poach the Broncos teenage sensation.
The Sea Eagles are reportedly one of seven clubs to have expressed interest in the brilliant Cobbo, who has rocketed into Origin contention ahead of his 17th NRL game on Friday night against Manly at Suncorp Stadium.
The 100kg winger ran riot at NSW’s home ground just last week, scoring two tries in Brisbane’s 32-12 rout of Souths at Accor Stadium.
“Selwyn is doing a lot of things right, he is really standing out,” said Maroons legend Slater.
QUEENSLAND coach Billy Slater has revealed he is considering Selwyn Cobbo for a shock Origin debut as Brisbane’s Magic Round rivals Manly hatch plans to poach the Broncos teenage sensation.
The Sea Eagles are reportedly one of seven clubs to have expressed interest in the brilliant Cobbo, who has rocketed into Origin contention ahead of his 17th NRL game on Friday night against Manly at Suncorp Stadium.
Cobbo’s predecessor on the Broncos wing, Xavier Coates, made his Queensland debut after just 15 games and Slater said he would not be afraid to hand the 19-year-old his Maroons debut in Origin I at Homebush on June 8.
The 100kg winger ran riot at NSW’s home ground just last week, scoring two tries in Brisbane’s 32-12 rout of Souths at Accor Stadium, and Slater confirmed he would be at Suncorp on Friday watching several Broncos, including the classy Cobbo.
“I have been so impressed with Selwyn Cobbo,” said Maroons legend Slater, who played the first of his 31 Origin games at age 20. “Selwyn is doing a lot of things right, he is really standing out.
“I will make a decision on Selwyn in a few weeks’ time, but for me, your age is your age and you only get experience in Origin by experiencing the actual game. If we feel Selwyn is the best person to fill a position in our team, we’ll pick him, but if other people are better credentialed, then we will back those guys. But age is not a concern for me. I want to see actions each week and I love Selwyn’s aggression.
“He is a fierce competitor.”
Coates and Kyle Feldt are the front-runners for Maroons wing spots for Game One, but Cobbo can send an emphatic message to Slater and Queensland selectors with another barnstorming display against the Sea Eagles.
From nine matches this season, Cobbo has four tries, four line breaks, 35 tackle busts and is averaging 114m a game.
But numbers alone don’t tell the full story. Slater is watching Cobbo’s efforts and body language. He believes Brisbane’s version of Latrell Mitchell has the toughness to relish the physicality of Origin.
“There was a moment a few weeks ago where Selwyn was in the in-goal and he just pinned the ears back and basically said to the defence, ‘if you are good enough to stop me, good luck to you’,” Slater said.
Such is his talent, a host of NRL rivals are circling. After Cobbo terrorised Souths last week, a big-name official contacted his management urging them to hold off signing with the Broncos, who have begun talks to upgrade the teenager until the end of 2025.
Manly are among the clubs that want Cobbo for 2024, but Brisbane coach Kevin Walters insists the Cherbourg flyer is going nowhere.
“We are very hopeful we can keep him here,” Walters said. “We see Selwyn as a longterm player for our club.”