Of the Maroons lining up opposite, only Titans skipper Tino Faโasuamaleaui challenges them, albeit with clubmate Beau Fermor not too far behind.
From 1-17, Coates, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Jeremiah Nanai and Tom Dearden are the Queenslanders demanding selection alongside Faโasuamaleaui if an Australian side had to be picked tomorrow.
Which is of course, just how the Maroons like it. Written off. Dismissed. They donโt have the luxury to be leaving out a Tom Trbojevic, Terrell or Tedesco.
โPoor old Queenslanders,โ was Billy Slaterโs quip on NineโsWide World of Sports on Sunday morning.
Right on cue, drama. Stephen Crichtonโs groin niggle that has limited his training at Canterbury emerged.
The NRLโs best front-rower is in doubt for Origin I.Credit: Getty Images
Haas played his heart out in the Broncosโ galling loss to St George Illawarra and was last man standing at fulltime. He had also done damage to his quad, putting the Blues best front-rower under an injury cloud with 10 days until the series opener.
Queensland of course, have worn their share of blows too. First Murray Taulagi with a calf injury, then Selwyn Cobbo with a potentially fractured wrist.
Pat Carrigan visited a plastic surgeon on his way into Maroons camp to fix a lip that belongs in a Picasso portrait.
As one of Originโs most experienced players and coaches, Laurie Daley knows Queensland have also made an art form of tossing out the form guide for 45 years and counting.
Originโs entire mythology is built on it, and the likes of Cherry-Evans, Ponga, Reuben Cotter and Lindsay Collins (a week back from injury) are well-versed in it.
Roosters rookie Rob Toia is just the latest in line for a crash course in what Slater actually meant with his immortal โweโre still Queenslandersโ line, even if the coach still canโt quite articulate it.
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Toia has played 10 games of first grade. He should have played a lot more by now, but the 20-year-oldโs progression has been waylaid by two ACL ruptures and a broken jaw in three seasons.
Never mind for Slater. Unless he plans to shift Toia from his usual right edge, he will line up opposite Mitchell, Angus Crichton and Mitchell Moses.
A switch-up does hold appeal, for the rookieโs sake if nothing else. Until you consider Stephen Crichton, Cleary and Liam Martin roam the Blues right edge.
Never mind, Queensland has played their cards, with a faith only quite found on one side of the Tweed. NSW has the form.
But when has that counted for much in Origin?
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