Maroons crow with Cooper’s decision
KEVIN Walters wants Cooper Cronk to usher in the next Maroons No.7 after Queensland’s State of Origin dynasty strengthened yesterday.
Cronk’s decision to sign a two-year deal with the Sydney Roosters has opened the door for the Maroons general to continue his Origin career.
The 33-year-old is yet to reveal his representative plans but coach Walters is banking on the former Storm half returning to Origin next year.
With Johnathan Thurston retiring from representative football this year, it would have been a crushing blow for Queensland if Cronk decided to hang up the boots.
“I wasn’t really sure what he was going to do,” Walters said.
“With the way he finished the year off and is still playing now, I thought he would have been a bit silly to retire.
“While he can still play and is enjoying the game he might as well do it. You are a long time retired.
“I was always hopeful we could stagger when the boys left the Origin arena. This will enable us to do that in some ways.
“With Johnathan not there, Cooper is still around in the halves which makes it good.
“While we’re bringing those other younger players through, they’re still learning from them in the camps and around that preparation.
“That’s providing he’s going to make himself available which we are all assuming he will. I can’t see why he wouldn’t want to (play) but we will have to wait and see.
“I haven’t spoken to him. I’ve left him alone. I tried to get something out of him a few months back but he wouldn’t budge. He can keep a secret.”
Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster’s sensational Origin debut this year means he is the leading contender to partner Cronk at Queensland’s scrumbase in 2018.
Kangaroos No.6 Michael Morgan is also in the mix and Walters will look to ramp up his succession plans next year.
Former Broncos halfback Ben Hunt and Titans young gun Ash Taylor are the logical options to replace Cronk when he does retire.
Hunt made his Origin debut this year and Taylor was invited into camp to get a feel for the Queensland set-up.
Now Cronk will play a leading role in mentoring the next Queensland halfback before he walks away from the game.
“There are a few guys. Ben Hunt, Michael Morgan, Ash Taylor and DCE (Daly CherryEvans) would come into the frame,” Walters said.
“There is plenty to choose from there, depending on how they go and what positions they are playing for their clubs. Munster will be hard to leave out as well.
“It will be a tough one for us but it’s great news Cooper is playing on. It’s pretty exciting from a Queensland point of view with the talent we’ve got coming through underneath.
“While they can still learn from the best we might as well accommodate that.”
Despite Cronk officially continuing his career, the Maroons ($2.05) remain outsiders for next year’s series against NSW ($1.77) with UBET.