Wednesday’s decision was one of the biggest clashes in the home state and has raised fascinating questions when it comes to kangaroo selections for this year’s World Cup.
The greats Cooper Cronk and Michael Ennis have been arguing over who should put on the Australian gold when the tournament is held in England from October-November, with the battle between Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans for the No. 7 starting jersey between the most important points of discussion.
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This year’s Origin series was always going to be an unofficial World Cup test and a number of players stood up when he told his states about the exciting three-game epic, reminiscent of the Kangaroos coach , Mal Meninga, how they can act on the big stage.
Below are some conclusions in the key positions, as Cronk and Ennis give their opinion on the composition of Australia’s backbone.
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BACK
The hour comes, the man comes; Kalyn Ponga was undoubtedly the difference in the home state’s decision at Suncorp Stadium, but it is very unlikely that it will be enough to oust the Kangaroo starter and possible waiting captain, James Tedesco.
Newcastle co-captain Ponga played his best match in garnet Queensland, scoring a try and running for 247 yards on his way to the honors of the match man.
But Wednesday’s decisive was also a great show of Ponga’s leadership, which overcame criticism and put on a great show for his state.
Former Blues hooker Ennis said Ponga had a phenomenal performance for the Maroons, which also included 16 tackles.
“This shows his intention to bring the ball to his team and that was an obvious difference in the second game, the difference between the three backs of New South Wales. You had Tupou, To’o and James Tedesco “James Tedesco tonight was amazing,” Ennis said on the Post Game Show.
“That’s why people love Kalyn Ponga. When she acts like that, when she does these performances in big games, that’s why she has the expectation every week in club football.
“We just know how good it can be. The more you get into that mood, the more you get involved, like every time I touched the ball tonight I was nervous. I was nervous that something would happen.”
While Ponga was a bright light for the maroons, so was Tedesco for the blues. Almost anything Ponga could do, Teddy could do better, with the Blues captain who had run for 261m.
Kangaroo ex-captain Boyd Cordner revealed earlier this week that he wants Tedesco to lead Australia in the World Cup.
Cronk also believes the Roosters winger is the man who will lead Australia later this year, and that he is also a “lock-in” to keep his place in the number one jersey.
“Ponga was great, but no one will take away his captain’s place, because I hope he is Australia’s captain in the World Cup,” Cronk said.
FIVE EIGHT
The rugby league world came to a halt when it was revealed that Melbourne Storm player Cameron Munster would not line up in Queensland for the home decision due to Covid.
Munster has been one of Queensland’s best players in recent memory, and would always be a big hole to fill.
Although rookie Tom Dearden had a blind spot on his debut, Cronk doesn’t expect Munster to be threatened as a starter for the Kangaroos.
Meninga has options, however, in the form of Jarome Luai, who last night scored a try in the decisive, especially if he goes with his teammate Penrith Cleary at number 7.
“He was full of energy, there was no doubt he was certainly ready for the contest,” Ennis said.
“They targeted him. Queensland, no matter how much he targeted them, was looking to hunt him down.
“He was interested in everything early on. He was solid. Defensively he had a chance to stop one or two of the attempts.”
MEDIUM
Cleary has been one of the best players in the rugby league on the planet in recent years, but is poised to face Maroons captain Cherry-Evans for the Kangaroos ’defensive midfield position.
While it looked like Cleary was making an irresistible case for being Australia’s starting midfielder, Cherry-Evans ’mammoth performance in leading Queensland to an unlikely victory in the series has certainly put a key in the works.
Cleary gave a master class in the second game and led the Blues to what at the time was a victory to save series.
The Panthers game creator came out perfect from the shirt at Suncorp Stadium last night and also ran 148 yards with the ball in his hand.
He is also a reliable defender, there is a reason Cronk believes he is the man to replace incumbent Cherry-Evans in the Kangaroos’ starting lineup.
Cronk said Cherry-Evans still deserved to be on the Kangaroos Cup team, but believes Cleary still leads the race.
“Cherry-Evans is on the plane, but if you ask me what my starting side is, the set is Cleary,” Cronk said.
HOOKER
Ben Hunt earned his redemption after the horrors of the 2015 NRL Finals against the Cowboys.
The runaway attempt in the dying stages to seal the Maroons ’victory will go down in history as one of the Maroons’ greatest moments, and has left Australia’s options wide open when it comes to prostitution.
Hunt, leader of the 2022 Dally M race before the vote was secret, looks like a great opportunity to be included in the World Cup selection, especially if Meninga chooses to go with the same combination with Harry Grant that turned out so effective for Queensland.
There is a lot of depth and options at number 9 with Apisai Koroisau and Damien Cook also in the box and Ennis said the selections could depend on the combinations.
“I would say Harry Grant or Api Koroisau,” Ennis said when asked who should be Australia’s titular prostitute. “It depends on who goes at seven and six.”