Queensland coach Mal Meninga says Queensland won't pick Sam Kasiano for Origin III
The Courier-Mail
June 21, 2012 12:00AM
MAROONS hierarchy last night closed the door on Sam Kasiano playing in the Origin decider as Queensland coach Mel Meninga hit back at claims he had made clandestine attempts to poach Kiwi players.
Speculation suggested Canterbury's 133kg giant Kasiano was in the frame to replace Dave Taylor for Origin III after the Coal Train's error-riddled display in Queensland's 16-12 loss in Game Two at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.
Queensland's purported interest in Kasiano sparked a furious outburst from New Zealand high-performance director Tony Kemp, who revealed the Bulldogs prop had already signed a letter of intent with the Kiwis.
However Meninga last night passionately defended Taylor, in the process denying rumours Queensland powerbrokers had made furtive moves to poach Kasiano from the Kiwis.
Meninga's stance comes two months after the Maroons coach met boom Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo, who intimated his desire to represent Queensland before committing to NZ for the one-off trans-Tasman Test in April at Auckland's Eden Park.
"Let me make this clear - if Sam (Kasiano) wants to be a Queenslander, he has to declare himself a Queenslander," Meninga told The Courier-Mail.
"I have no idea where this (talk of Kasiano playing in Origin III) has come from. Apparently he has signed a letter of intent to play for New Zealand, well so be it.
"To be accused of poaching players . . . if anyone wants to play for Queensland, then stick your hand up for Queensland and then we'll think about selecting you."
Bulldogs teammate and fellow Queensland hopeful Ben Barba yesterday revealed Kasiano's interest in wearing Maroon.
"He wants to play for Queensland," Barba said.
"I've had a bit of a chat to him and he says he wants to play for us, so I'm hoping he does and hopefully one day he gets his chance."
Meninga said he was reluctant to put pressure on Kasiano as he weighs up his representative future.
"I spoke to Sam Kasiano before the start of the season, that's how long ago it was," he said. "I'm looking for people who want to play for Queensland, I'm not interested in poaching anybody.
"As for what the New Zealand Rugby League think I'm doing, I haven't poached a single player.
"Can someone tell me who I've poached? I asked Jason Taumalolo about his status and he made a decision to play for New Zealand, which is fair enough.
"I'm not going to thieve, beg or borrow players if they don't want to play for Queensland, simple as that."
While admitting he was disappointed in Taylor's display in Origin II, Meninga said he would not crucify the Souths hulk as he prepares for a return to form against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in round 16 tomorrow night.
Taylor, though, remains in the firing line if Broncos duo Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker prove their fitness ahead of the decider on July 4.
"Dave himself was a bit disappointed in his performance but I'm not going to castigate the bloke because he was a bit below form (in Game Two)," Meninga said. "I was a little bit disappointed in his performance, but that's not to say I don't have faith in him.
"Dave is performing at club level and I'm happy with his efforts there, we just need more effort in the Origin arena. But Dave isn't on the scrapheap because he didn't perform in one game."
