Qld 'Cowboy-d' as Slater shows faith
Tom Gilbert will be the seventh Cowboy to feature in Queensland’s squad this series when he debuts in next week’s State of Origin decider in Brisbane.
Billy Slater has demanded his under-pressure Queensland side “do their job better” as the coach delivered a show of faith with an extra sprinkle of Cowboy for the State of Origin decider.
Maroons selectors made just one personnel change for next Wednesday’s game three at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with North Queensland forward Tom Gilbert set to debut off the bench.
It was a forced move though, Felise Kaufusi with his unwell father in the United States and ruling himself out.
Fellow Cowboy Jeremiah Nanai will start in his third Origin in place of Kaufusi, while NRL teammate Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and emerging Sydney Roosters playmaker Sam Walker also joined the squad, replacing reserves Corey Oates and Reece Walsh.
Gilbert leapfrogged existing squad members Thomas Flegler and Beau Fermor to earn his call up, while Slater said Walsh’s addition wasn’t a suggestion Cameron Munster (shoulder) or Kalyn Ponga (concussion) were in danger of missing the game.
He’s also stuck with wingers Selwyn Cobbo and Murray Taulagi, centre Dane Gagai and veteran prop Josh Papalii, asking for a response after they were outplayed in a 44-12 loss in Perth that squared the series.
“There’s no doubt that individuals in our team can do their job better, but we’ve got our wingers, we’ve got our centres,” Slater said.
“He’ll (Nanai) settle into the game a bit better (rather than coming on as a substitute in the second half when he) probably thought he had to make up for lost time.
“I have a lot of faith in Jeremiah, he brings a lot to our team.”
Gilbert, who will join the Dolphins next season, will partner three Cowboys teammates in the side and make it seven picked in the extended squad for Queensland across the series.
The Blues have also called in Jordan McLean to debut in Brisbane while his Cowboys teammate Reece Robson is in the extended squad, reflecting the flying NRL side’s 11-4 season at the next level.
It comes as Brad Fittler leant on top-of-table Penrith for game two, picking seven Panthers as well as 2021 premiership player Matt Burton, who had since moved to the Bulldogs.
“Yep,” Slater nodded when mention was made of the Maroons’ efforts to counter the Blues’ “Pantherisation”.
“(Cowboys coach) Todd Payten’s done a fantastic job up there and they’re in a really good place.
“That game between North Queensland and Brisbane (on Saturday), the standard was really high.
“We’ve got a lot of Cowboys and a few Broncos here and they deserve to be here.”
He said Gilbert, 21, had all the ingredients to make an impact at the next level.
“There’s a fair bit to like about Tom; he’s the sort of player you just want in your team,” he said.
“That’s a big part of our game that (aggression).
“It was quite an emotional call. He’s a player that doesn’t hide his emotion on the field and certainly didn’t do that on the call.”
QUEENSLAND: Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai, Murray Taulagi, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans (capt), Lindsay Collins, Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii, Kurt Capewell, Jeremiah Nanai, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. Bench: Harry Grant, Jai Arrow, Patrick Carrigan, Tom Gilbert. Reserves: Thomas Flegler, Tom Dearden, Beau Fermor, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Sam Walker.
By: Murray Wenzel, AAP.
Comments on RugbyPass
Skelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
6 Go to commentsSpot on Ben. Dead right. Havili looked great at 10. Easily the highest rugby IQ of any NZ player these days. Getting a kick charged down is a result of getting used to adjusting your depth to the line at 10, which he will sort out with time. But other than that it was an outstanding first effort in that position this year. I think the NZ media has misunderstood this directive from Razor. Havili might rank behind B Barrett this year, but Beuden is 33 this month and won't last much longer. DMaC is great but flaky and not really a test match animal (his efforts in Dunedin versus Aus last year for example). If Razor can't have Mounga, DMaC is too unstructured for Razor (and is just too small for test rugby). Havili will end up our first choice first five, and in partnership with Jodie will be excellent. Two triple threat operators in tandem, and big bodies and tough tacklers to boot. Jordoe will be the ABs goal kicker. I am an Aucklander and Blues (and Warriors) fan, but Havili at 10 is going to be sensational in time… he can be the best first five in the world by the end of this year. No question.
6 Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
6 Go to commentsGood riddance
1 Go to commentswel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
6 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
6 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
6 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
6 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
6 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
6 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
6 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to comments