Who's Ya Daddy? said:
QLD
1.Hunt
2.Slater
3.Inglis
4.Hodges
5.Folau
6.Lockyer (C)
7.Cronk
8.Civoniceva
9.Smith
10.Prince
11.Thaiday
12.Johnson
13.Carroll
14.Hannant
15.Myles
16.Crocker
17.Bowen
It might be a big call to some, giving Cronk a run, but I am sure he is the best option. He combines well with Smith and I see the team running more effectively with him at half.
Carroll's form may not warrant selection but he always produces a tough effort at origin level and takes alot of pressure off Lockyer in defence.
***In reality QLD are probably going to stick with Thurston and this will be their downfall.
Thurston is a very dominate player and needs to run the game or he loses his effectiveness. Murray was very kind last year by sending most of the traffic at Lockyer despite the fact Thurston was controlling the play.
Bellamy is no mug and will send attack towards Thurston all day. He is a liability in defence so this is a good tactic but it will also tier him out. I have grave doubts Thurston can handel this increased workload and still produce the level of play from last series.
Thurston has previously shown an inability to link well with Lockyer and Smith when taking a back seat so I expect a seriouse reduction in the effectivness from the halves this series.
Thurston and Lockyer haven't gelled automatically in the halves because they play totally different types of play at their respective teams.
Both are heavily relied on at first receiver and as a halfback Thurston needs to do this(at the Cows he is relied upon a bit too much however) but Lockyer as a pivot shouldn't have to carry all the pressure.
Therefore you find that the halves during Origin/International struggling for what role they should be doing.
Thurston is unsure to take the load of Lockyer.
Because of the delivery of new recruits to both clubs to relieve the pressure off their stars - This year we will see Thurston take control more and Lockyer relax a bit more.
The only reason this didn't happen with Cronk is because Bird is used to playing a laid back pivot and letting Kimmorely run the show.
The problems you describe would have be apparent with all 3 of the halfbacks in the running for Queensland,because all are heavily involved in their team's plays.
As for their combination with Smith,I haven't seen anything wrong with it:?
Anyway my team;
1.Slater
2.Folau
3.Inglis
4.Hodges
5.Tate
6.Lockyer
7.Thurston
9.Cam Smith
For the backline,have no idea about forwards.
Going on form Prince would be there instead of Thurston as well as Slater instead of Hunt.
Perhaps put Hunt onto the Wing as he did so in the GF....Tate isn't a very good option but who else is there?
Queensland needs an explosive fullback that creates opportunities not one that just catches bombs safely all night with little to no other contribution.
