Maroons greats Darren Lockyer and Wally Lewis have rejected claims from south of the Queensland border that selectors have torn up the playbook that has built the state’s Origin success and turned their back on the famed “pick and stick” mantra.
Queensland raised eyebrows by making seven changes to last year’s series-winning team, including the omissions of star duo Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai.
Gagai in particular has been a mainstay and has a legacy to match the best of Queensland’s outside backs from the last decade.
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While the Maroons have been criticised by some, including Blues great Paul Gallen, for their departure from the traditional “pick and stick” method, Lockyer explained why it’s a good sign for Queensland.
“Either side of the border likes to try and find ways to niggle,” he told Wide World of Sports’ QLDER.
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“I think it’s just a reflection on the fact that our depth in the squad is very good.
“Yes there’s a couple of players who have done a lot for the Queensland team, and by no means is their career done in the Queensland jersey, but there’s good options there that come in to replace those guys. They’re in form and they bring something to the team.
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“We’ve got a few more options than we once did. There was a period where we were probably limited with some of our positions, but now we’re getting multiple options in different positions.”
Lockyer was backed by Lewis, who baulked at suggestions that this year’s Maroons team will be bereft of confidence, with the inclusions who ousted Ponga and Gagai – Reece Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow respectively – in sizzling form.
“There’s suggestions from Sydney that not a lot of confidence will be in the Queensland team, I don’t see how that’s going to be possible,” he told QLDER.
“We’ve got some of the best names in rugby league history (Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston) giving advice to players that have put together a wonderful campaign to earn selection for Queensland.
“If they’re working together as successfully as they have been in the last couple of years, there will be a fair bit of faith in their own ability and also in their teammates’ ability.
“When there (are) options available, the two or three players that are desperately chasing that position play a lot better to try and keep a hold of that position. So the more opportunity they get to prove to everybody they deserve to have that position, the stronger that team is going to be.”
The 2023 State of Origin series will get underway on May 31 with game one to be played at the Adelaide Oval.
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