NSW rugby league commentators have celebrated Queensland’s huge decision to snub Billy Slater — and the decision isn’t sitting right north of the Tweed River either.
Maroons coach Kevin Walters on Monday announced Broncos No. 1 Darius Boyd will retain the Queensland fullback position from last year, forcing some to declare Slater’s Origin career is likely finished.
Walters struggled with emotion when discussing the Queensland’s selection panel’s decision to play Boyd in the Maroon No. 1 — and a conspiracy theory emerged on Tuesday explaining the real reason behind the tears Walters had to fight back.
.@QLDmaroons coach Kevin Walters has broken down while naming his team for Game 1 of the 2017 State of Origin series https://t.co/CLGnsWPwo6pic.twitter.com/4pgZhQBGD9
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) May 22, 2017
Kevin walters breaks down as he discusses overlooking billy slater for origin I pic.twitter.com/eOq7XWqJoJ
— pete badel (@badel_cmail) May 22, 2017
Former Wallaby Greg Martin on Tuesday said the only explanation for the surprise decision was that there is friction within the Queensland Selection Panel over the Slater decision.
Martin told Triple M Brisbane’s Marto Ed and Robin he believes Walters must have been overruled by the other panel members — chairman Gene Miles and Queensland legend Darren Lockyer.
It is a sensational theory, considering Lockyer played alongside Slater as teammates throughout the Broncos great’s Origin career.
It also suggests Walters did not necessarily get the team he desired breaking with the recent trend of selection panels giving the coaches the exact 17 they want.
Selector Gene Miles and QLD Origin Coach Kevin Walters.Source:News Corp Australia
With Boyd beginning his Origin career on the wing, commentators have simplified the Slater snub to a simple choice between Slater at fullback and Justin O’Neill in the centres — because of Boyd’s ability to switch to the wing and Dane Gagai’s ability to move to the centres.
“Last year he didn’t play because he had that terrible shoulder injury so Kevvy got him to coach and he was magnificent apparently,” Martin said.
“Kevvy had him at Melbourne for years, he knows what he can do. Kevvy wanted him in the team I reckon.
“Kevin Walters has been rolled. For what? Gee, I’m really looking forward to Justin O’Neill playing ahead of Billy Slater.”
He said it simply doesn’t add up that Walters wouldn’t believe his team is strengthened by having both Boyd and Slater on the field at the same time.
“Darren Lockyer is in this,” he said.
“Kevvy has been rolled. There’s no way in the world. Kevvy spent years down in Melbourne.
“What’s the most dangerous thing in rugby league? Don’t worry about that big Nelson (Asofa-Solomona) guy down there in Melbourne. It is Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater in a play together. That is the most wicked thing in rugby league and you’re going to chop the head off one of them.”
DALEY SAYS THURSTON WILL PLAY
Another classic Queensland move.Source:News Corp Australia
NSW coach Laurie Daley has accused Queensland of foxing surrounding the fitness of star playmaker Johnathan Thurston.
Daley on Tuesday said the NSW camp has information that suggests Thurston will be fit for the series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 31 and will start the game for the Maroons.
It comes after Queensland coach Kevin Walters on Monday announced Broncos star Anthony Milford would start in the No. 6 jumper because Thurston was considered “very unlikely” to prove his fitness before kick-off.
“From all reports with us, he’ll be there,” Daley told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.
“We believe that, obviously with Milford they needed him in the starting team, Wayne (Bennett) wasn’t going to allow him to go into the camp otherwise.
“I think JT will be there. He’s a tough competitor. He’s one of the toughest we’ve ever seen. He recovers from injuries as well as anyone. He’ll be there. We’re preparing for him to play. Right up until kick-off we won’t be trusting what Queensland say.”
NSW GREATS SEE QUEENSLAND VULNERABILITY
Origin comes at you hard.Source:News Corp Australia
NSW Great Matthew Johns says “thank god” Queensland has overlooked Billy Slater.
Johns and fellow NSW great Mark Geyer said they see fragility in the team announced by Queensland on Monday.
The Maroons will be without Greg Inglis (injury), Matt Scott (injury), Slater (overlooked) and Corey Parker (retirement) from last year’s series.
“I can understand all those points that Kevvy is talking about because Darius Boyd is a great player and he’s at the peak of his form,” Johns told Triple M’s Grill Team.
“Darius presents a real passing threat to NSW. He’s so classy with his decision making out the back of those block plays and finding the right plays at the right times, but he doesn’t possess the same running threat through the middle of the field that Billy does — and the combination in the middle with Cronk and Smith.
“I think there’s great opportunity for NSW. I think there’s vulnerability in their (Queensland’s) pack.
“He’s gone with loyalty and I think that suits us. We’ve got a much more energetic and mobile forward pack. Milford in the No. 6 is interesting. How is Milford going to go with Cooper? That’s an unknown.”
Geyer said the cracks are starting to appear in the “Queensland wall”.
“To see a great like Gary Belcher come out and say it’s almost criminal that Billy Slater’s not in the team, we’re starting to see cracks appear in the Queensland wall,” he said.
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