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View Full Version : Queensland teammates save Israel Folau from a premature Origin exit



titansrawesome
08-06-10, 08:11 AM
By Matt Marshall and Karl deKroo
June 08, 2010
Player power has saved code-hopper Israel Folau from the State of Origin scrapheap.

In a major backflip from the Queensland Rugby League, the AFL-bound Brisbane Broncos star will on Tuesday be named in the Maroons' side for Origin II at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.

Folau's teammates and the ruthless Maroons selection panel convinced the QRL board to soften its hardline stance.

A heart-to-heart plea from Maroons coach Mal Meninga on behalf of his players, and pressure from a selection panel intent on crushing the Blues forced QRL managing director Ross Livermore's hand.

Just three days ago, Livermore revealed Folau would not be invited into Maroons camp.

Queensland selectors were tight-lipped on Monday night, with chairman of selectors Des Morris claiming his panel's only concern was to "come up with the best team that we think can do the job for Queensland".

Senior players Darren Lockyer, Petero Civoniceva and Cameron Smith were behind the bid to retain Folau. The stance of Lockyer and Civoniceva, who last week endorsed the QRL's decision to dump Folau, softened over the weekend as it became clear their teammates were firmly in Folau's corner. The loss of Folau's most likely replacement, Brent Tate, to a broken jaw in Auckland on Sunday only strengthened their resolve.

Folau's selection again denies dual international and Wests Tigers star Lote Tuqiri an Origin return.

In the only other changes to the Maroons' team, Cameron Smith will return in place of Matt Ballin and Bulldogs prop Ben Hannant replaces the injured Petero Civoniceva.