QLD: Meninga issues Lockyer ultimatum

[Queenslander]

Meninga issues Lockyer ultimatum
By Steve Ricketts
April 25, 2006

QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga says he cannot guarantee Australia captain Darren Lockyer the Maroons' five-eighth spot for this year's State of Origin series even if Lockyer plays there in Friday week's trans-Tasman Test in Brisbane.

Meninga warned that players could be selected out of position for Queensland, and they must be prepared to accept the challenge, as the Maroons look to regain the Origin title they surrendered in 2003.

Meninga's comment offers the strongest hint yet that he and the Queensland selectors are considering Scott Prince and Johnathan Thurston as the halves, with Lockyer at fullback.

Lockyer reportedly has been assured by Australia coach Ricky Stuart he will play five-eighth against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on Friday week, despite earlier speculation he would be switched to fullback, with Anthony Minichiello on the wing.

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett made the big call to switch Lockyer from fullback to five-eighth in 2004, since when the player has enthusiastically embraced the challenge.

He has played nine Tests for Australia at five-eighth for eight wins, the highlight a stunning performance in the 2004 Tri-Nations final against Great Britain, which the Kangaroos won 44-4.

Lockyer missed last year's 24-0 loss to New Zealand in the Tri-Nations final because of injury.

The Australia team for the Brisbane Test will be named on Sunday night.

The Queensland and New South Wales teams for the Origin series opener in Sydney on May 24 will be named on May 15.

Meninga said yesterday the Queensland selectors would choose players they felt would come together as a strong unit to counter what shapes as a star-studded NSW side.

"I don't want to get into a debate about the make-up of the side and I've got an open mind about selections," he said.

"But wherever players are selected, I expect them to be happy to go out and do the job for Queensland.

"A lot of great players over the years have been chosen out of position.

"I'm not guaranteeing anyone a position. In the case of Darren Lockyer, he could be five-eighth or he might not be five-eighth."

Lockyer played five-eighth with North Queensland star Thurston at halfback in last year's Origin series, but there is a school of thought that Prince would offer more than the Broncos star in terms of organisation.

The thopught of having all three players in the starting 13 seems an attractive proposition, but such a scenario would see Lockyer moving to fullback - a switch he would not enjoy after becoming settled at five-eighth.

Former Test centre Meninga meanwhile believes Broncos centre Justin Hodges should be chosen for Australia.

However, he acknowledged the possible difficulty associated with switching Hodges to the left side of the field because Mark Gasnier probably deserved to be right centre.

"Hodges, Gasnier, Matt Gidley, Steve Bell and Paul Bowman have been in great form," Meninga said.

Asked to nominate the No.1 centre in the game, Meninga opted for Australian Jamie Lyon, who plays for St Helens in England.

The Courier-Mail

[DeeGan]

Geez Big Mal, could of done with this after the Test in May 2006 to be honest, but good to see he is being upfront and honest with his players including the captain Darren Lockyer.

Moving Lockyer to fullback for Origin (where he has not played since 2003) is a move fraught with danger given we have some great fullback depth to choose from. You have Matt Bowen, Rhys Wesser and Clinton Schifcofske with Karmichael Hunt and Billy Slater there as well.

I think this might be a little bit of gamesmenship here from Mal so as not to give the NSW guys a clue on what the make up of the side will be.

[PARANoIR]

Hooray for common sense.

[Chaos]

What was the Ultimatum?

[Queenslander]

What was the Ultimatum?

To put it simply it is....... play better. If you don't, you may not make it into the team in your desired position of five-eight.

[Eel 33]

Players to be chosen out of position, that's a double edged sword but could work perfectly, as well as having NSW playing right into our hands.

[[BroncosGirl]]

... I think Mal should stick to the position that Locky gets in the test, which will be 5/8.

Whats the point of chaning his position, its not going to help Lockys form at all. Locky btw has not had practice at diffusing bombs or chasing down kicks, for a while now.I mean i would love to see how Locky goes at fullback again, but thats the sort of thing you try at trial games, not big games like S.O.O.

Either hes picked at 5/8 or cut, and he simply can't be cut imo. But, if Locky is picked at fullback and has a fabulous game, then all credit to him, I just don't see the point atm. Can't we just stick to as many players in their usual positions as possible please.

[The Original Idiot]

Finally, a Queensland coach who is making some sense. We need more decisions like this.

[DeeGan]

Players to be chosen out of position, that's a double edged sword but could work perfectly, as well as having NSW playing right into our hands.

Well said.

Lockyer has to be five-eight partnering Johnathan Thurston in the halves. Lockyer again has not played fullback since 2003 and chucking him back there at Origin level where he is not taken bomb, fielded a grubber nor had to position himself in defence for 2.5 years is playing into the hands of NSW when we have a guy like Matt Bowen ready and raring to go.

It must be said, Lockyer over the past 3 weeks has been very good for Brisbane and will only get better as the seasons rolls on now he has games under his belt. Some perhaps forget that Lockyer played no trials and came back to the game from a broken foot suffered late 2005.

Lockyer has to stay at five-eight.

[[BroncosGirl]]

Yay DeeGan, someone that makes sense Exactly my thoughts mate, but much better put