For Mine Brent Webb would be a bolter but would handle the step up. When ever he plays agaisnt the Broncoes he always has a blinder. I imagine that playing for the Maroons would also bring out the best in him. It would be great for him and the warriors as he would come out a much better player.
"Maroons selector Des Morris would not rule out the possibility of an Origin recall for Ikin, who played five-eighth for Queensland in last year's series, but he said either Chris Flannery, Travis Norton or Brent Webb was a more likely replacement for Lockyer in that position.
Morris said the selectors would also pay particular attention to the form of Wests Tigers playmaker Scott Prince, North Queensland's Nathan Fien and Brisbane's Brett Seymour during the next two weekends, with a view to finding a new halfback.
"We've been watching them anyway, we didn't name them in the squad because we didn't want to single either of them out for any extra attention at this stage," he said.
Of the three five-eighth candidates other than Ikin, who made his Origin debut as a 17-year-old in 1995 and has appeared in 16 matches since, none wear the No.6 jersey on a regular basis for their clubs - although Norton started the season in the position for the Cowboys.
"Brent Webb has played there for the Warriors in the past and the Roosters are talking about Chris Flannery being their five-eighth when Brad Fittler retires next season, so I don't think we'd have any worries with any of them," Morris said."
Full Article follows
Ikin answers call as injury crisis deepens
By Brad Walter
May 8, 2004
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Former Test five-eighth Ben Ikin will make a surprise NRL comeback for Brisbane in their away match against Canberra tomorrow after Queensland's Origin crisis deepened with the loss of Shaun Berrigan.
Ikin, who changed his retirement plans at the end of last season to play Queensland Cup for Toowoomba, answered an SOS from his father-in-law, Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, after Berrigan tore his hamstring in a training mishap.
Berrigan joins brother Barry (neck) and teammates Darren Lockyer (ribs), Shane Webcke (back), Petero Civoniceva (knee) and Bradley Meyers (neck) on the club's injured list. Officials said yesterday that Berrigan would be sidelined for a minimum of two weeks - putting him in doubt for Origin I on May 26.
With Lockyer already ruled out because of broken ribs, Maroons selectors have until Monday week to find an alternative halves pairing as well as a new captain.
Although he has been playing in the centres this season, Berrigan was the only player with any halfback experience chosen in the 22-man Queensland squad that went into camp in Brisbane this week.
Already the squad has been reduced to 19, with Lockyer out and Sydney Roosters winger Chris Walker being stood down after being arrested last Monday morning, and doubts also exist about the fitness of Webcke, Civoniceva and Meyers.
Maroons selector Des Morris would not rule out the possibility of an Origin recall for Ikin, who played five-eighth for Queensland in last year's series, but he said either Chris Flannery, Travis Norton or Brent Webb was a more likely replacement for Lockyer in that position.
Morris said the selectors would also pay particular attention to the form of Wests Tigers playmaker Scott Prince, North Queensland's Nathan Fien and Brisbane's Brett Seymour during the next two weekends, with a view to finding a new halfback.
"We've been watching them anyway, we didn't name them in the squad because we didn't want to single either of them out for any extra attention at this stage," he said.
Of the three five-eighth candidates other than Ikin, who made his Origin debut as a 17-year-old in 1995 and has appeared in 16 matches since, none wear the No.6 jersey on a regular basis for their clubs - although Norton started the season in the position for the Cowboys.
"Brent Webb has played there for the Warriors in the past and the Roosters are talking about Chris Flannery being their five-eighth when Brad Fittler retires next season, so I don't think we'd have any worries with any of them," Morris said.
Asked about the captaincy job, Morris suggested either Bulldogs prop Steve Price or Norton, who was installed in place of Paul Bowman as North Queensland skipper three weeks ago.
Morris also nominated Melbourne second-rower Kirk Reynoldson as a possible Origin bolter, adding selectors would monitor the form of former Maroons forward Carl Webb, who will make his first NRL appearance of the season for Brisbane tomorrow.
Webb, 23, represented Queensland in 2001 and 2002 but was told by Bennett at the end of last season that he had no future at the Broncos and has been playing alongside Ikin at the Toowoomba Clydesdales.
Hooker Michael Ryan, an Origin contender two years ago, has also been called up from the Queensland Cup to play against the Raiders.
Bennett will decide today whether to start Ikin at five-eighth, with Casey McGuire moving to the centres, or promote winger Stuart Kelly and play him from the interchange bench.
"Maroons selector Des Morris would not rule out the possibility of an Origin recall for Ikin, who played five-eighth for Queensland in last year's series, but he said either Chris Flannery, Travis Norton or Brent Webb was a more likely replacement for Lockyer in that position.
Morris said the selectors would also pay particular attention to the form of Wests Tigers playmaker Scott Prince, North Queensland's Nathan Fien and Brisbane's Brett Seymour during the next two weekends, with a view to finding a new halfback.
"We've been watching them anyway, we didn't name them in the squad because we didn't want to single either of them out for any extra attention at this stage," he said.
Of the three five-eighth candidates other than Ikin, who made his Origin debut as a 17-year-old in 1995 and has appeared in 16 matches since, none wear the No.6 jersey on a regular basis for their clubs - although Norton started the season in the position for the Cowboys.
"Brent Webb has played there for the Warriors in the past and the Roosters are talking about Chris Flannery being their five-eighth when Brad Fittler retires next season, so I don't think we'd have any worries with any of them," Morris said."
Full Article follows
Ikin answers call as injury crisis deepens
By Brad Walter
May 8, 2004
Page Tools
Email to a friend Printer format
Former Test five-eighth Ben Ikin will make a surprise NRL comeback for Brisbane in their away match against Canberra tomorrow after Queensland's Origin crisis deepened with the loss of Shaun Berrigan.
Ikin, who changed his retirement plans at the end of last season to play Queensland Cup for Toowoomba, answered an SOS from his father-in-law, Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, after Berrigan tore his hamstring in a training mishap.
Berrigan joins brother Barry (neck) and teammates Darren Lockyer (ribs), Shane Webcke (back), Petero Civoniceva (knee) and Bradley Meyers (neck) on the club's injured list. Officials said yesterday that Berrigan would be sidelined for a minimum of two weeks - putting him in doubt for Origin I on May 26.
With Lockyer already ruled out because of broken ribs, Maroons selectors have until Monday week to find an alternative halves pairing as well as a new captain.
Although he has been playing in the centres this season, Berrigan was the only player with any halfback experience chosen in the 22-man Queensland squad that went into camp in Brisbane this week.
Already the squad has been reduced to 19, with Lockyer out and Sydney Roosters winger Chris Walker being stood down after being arrested last Monday morning, and doubts also exist about the fitness of Webcke, Civoniceva and Meyers.
Maroons selector Des Morris would not rule out the possibility of an Origin recall for Ikin, who played five-eighth for Queensland in last year's series, but he said either Chris Flannery, Travis Norton or Brent Webb was a more likely replacement for Lockyer in that position.
Morris said the selectors would also pay particular attention to the form of Wests Tigers playmaker Scott Prince, North Queensland's Nathan Fien and Brisbane's Brett Seymour during the next two weekends, with a view to finding a new halfback.
"We've been watching them anyway, we didn't name them in the squad because we didn't want to single either of them out for any extra attention at this stage," he said.
Of the three five-eighth candidates other than Ikin, who made his Origin debut as a 17-year-old in 1995 and has appeared in 16 matches since, none wear the No.6 jersey on a regular basis for their clubs - although Norton started the season in the position for the Cowboys.
"Brent Webb has played there for the Warriors in the past and the Roosters are talking about Chris Flannery being their five-eighth when Brad Fittler retires next season, so I don't think we'd have any worries with any of them," Morris said.
Asked about the captaincy job, Morris suggested either Bulldogs prop Steve Price or Norton, who was installed in place of Paul Bowman as North Queensland skipper three weeks ago.
Morris also nominated Melbourne second-rower Kirk Reynoldson as a possible Origin bolter, adding selectors would monitor the form of former Maroons forward Carl Webb, who will make his first NRL appearance of the season for Brisbane tomorrow.
Webb, 23, represented Queensland in 2001 and 2002 but was told by Bennett at the end of last season that he had no future at the Broncos and has been playing alongside Ikin at the Toowoomba Clydesdales.
Hooker Michael Ryan, an Origin contender two years ago, has also been called up from the Queensland Cup to play against the Raiders.
Bennett will decide today whether to start Ikin at five-eighth, with Casey McGuire moving to the centres, or promote winger Stuart Kelly and play him from the interchange bench.
