DIEHARD
03-04-08, 12:52 AM
Prince in frame for Origin berth
The awful early-season efforts of the North Queensland Cowboys could have ramifications in the representative arena, with some of the club's biggest names - including Johnathan Thurston - under pressure to ignite their form before it's too late.
North Queensland were heavily tipped to be grand final contenders this season. Instead, they have started with a woeful none from three and leaked more than 100 points along the way.
After first-up losses to the Titans and Tigers, things went from bad to worse when an undermanned Brisbane outfit routed the Cowboys 36-2 at Suncorp Stadium last Friday night.
The task won't get any easier this weekend when they host the dangerous Eels, a side with strike weapons deployed across the park.
Amid the on-field carnage could lie the representative ambitions of prop Carl Webb, whose odds of retaining his Queensland jumper are drifting in the face of stiff competition from improvers like Brisbane's Ben Hannant.
Fullback Matt Bowen, who many believed should have replaced Karmichael Hunt for the Queensland and Australian job last season, is another who will need a dramatic change of fortune to even feature in discussions.
But it is superstar halfback Thurston who may need to look over his shoulder if his side fails to take flight, with Queensland's impressive halfback stocks having challengers nipping at his heels for early Origin ascendancy.
Thurston is returning from a double shoulder reconstruction and has been solid without spectacular behind a struggling pack.
The Gold Coast's Scott Prince, meanwhile, has continued his stellar run of form and rarely plays a bad hand, while Melbourne's premiership halfback Cooper Cronk is the Kangaroo incumbent thanks to Thurston's surgery at the end of last season.
Thurston is still the favourite to be picked for the May 9 Centenary Test against New Zealand. But Queensland selector Des Morris says the form of the Cowboys half - and his supporting cast - could create some interesting dilemmas at the Maroons selection table.
"Form is always a criteria. It's just how far out of form players are that are the incumbents and what's going on around them - we have to take into consideration. That will be the same this year," Morris said.
"Obviously you like to have a stable team but in saying that, if one bloke's form is outstanding and the other bloke is struggling in form, you take that into consideration."
Queensland's famous loyalty to players has paid handsome dividends over the years but if the status quo fails to alter significantly over the coming rounds, that policy could be tested.
Queensland is blessed with brilliant depth in the number seven, meaning Morris won't be losing sleep even if Thurston fails to regain his magic or becomes a casualty of his side's bad form.
"I don't think Queensland are concerned. We're just hopeful they all stay healthy and fit and we'll make that choice when the time comes," he said.
"It's a healthy position for Queensland to be in - to have three quality halves of that standard. We're sure whoever gets the nod will do a great job for us."
http://www.leaguehq.com.au
The awful early-season efforts of the North Queensland Cowboys could have ramifications in the representative arena, with some of the club's biggest names - including Johnathan Thurston - under pressure to ignite their form before it's too late.
North Queensland were heavily tipped to be grand final contenders this season. Instead, they have started with a woeful none from three and leaked more than 100 points along the way.
After first-up losses to the Titans and Tigers, things went from bad to worse when an undermanned Brisbane outfit routed the Cowboys 36-2 at Suncorp Stadium last Friday night.
The task won't get any easier this weekend when they host the dangerous Eels, a side with strike weapons deployed across the park.
Amid the on-field carnage could lie the representative ambitions of prop Carl Webb, whose odds of retaining his Queensland jumper are drifting in the face of stiff competition from improvers like Brisbane's Ben Hannant.
Fullback Matt Bowen, who many believed should have replaced Karmichael Hunt for the Queensland and Australian job last season, is another who will need a dramatic change of fortune to even feature in discussions.
But it is superstar halfback Thurston who may need to look over his shoulder if his side fails to take flight, with Queensland's impressive halfback stocks having challengers nipping at his heels for early Origin ascendancy.
Thurston is returning from a double shoulder reconstruction and has been solid without spectacular behind a struggling pack.
The Gold Coast's Scott Prince, meanwhile, has continued his stellar run of form and rarely plays a bad hand, while Melbourne's premiership halfback Cooper Cronk is the Kangaroo incumbent thanks to Thurston's surgery at the end of last season.
Thurston is still the favourite to be picked for the May 9 Centenary Test against New Zealand. But Queensland selector Des Morris says the form of the Cowboys half - and his supporting cast - could create some interesting dilemmas at the Maroons selection table.
"Form is always a criteria. It's just how far out of form players are that are the incumbents and what's going on around them - we have to take into consideration. That will be the same this year," Morris said.
"Obviously you like to have a stable team but in saying that, if one bloke's form is outstanding and the other bloke is struggling in form, you take that into consideration."
Queensland's famous loyalty to players has paid handsome dividends over the years but if the status quo fails to alter significantly over the coming rounds, that policy could be tested.
Queensland is blessed with brilliant depth in the number seven, meaning Morris won't be losing sleep even if Thurston fails to regain his magic or becomes a casualty of his side's bad form.
"I don't think Queensland are concerned. We're just hopeful they all stay healthy and fit and we'll make that choice when the time comes," he said.
"It's a healthy position for Queensland to be in - to have three quality halves of that standard. We're sure whoever gets the nod will do a great job for us."
http://www.leaguehq.com.au