Jim's QLD side

Given we have a bye coming up this week it’ll probably be a pretty slow week for Broncos news. I guess at some stage we’ll have official word on the Ben Hannent signing, some injury news, and maybe something on Folau’s future but that is about as exciting as it’s likely to get.

Luckily it’s almost Origin time, so we’ll still have plenty to talk about here at the blog. Last week Waldo took a stab at how he thought the Queensland team would line up, so before the official team is announced tomorrow I’m going to take a punt as well. 100 RedHillRants Koins to whoever goes closest?

1. Billy Slater
2. Lote Tuqiri
3. Greg Inglis
4. Willie Tonga
5. Israel Folau
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Petero Civoniceva
9. Cameron Smith
10. David Shillington
11. Sam Thaiday
12. Scott Bolton
13. Corey Parker

14. Ashley Harrison
15. David Taylor
16. Nate Myles
17. Ben Te’o

All subject to injury of course. If Smith isn’t fit then Cronk is the man most likely to slide into hooker, even though he’s not a recognised number 9. No matter what team is announced, there are going to be some unlucky Queenslanders who miss out. Tate and Stagg in particular were very hard to leave out. I went with Te’o on the bench as he is in form and showing a lot of versatility lately by sliding into the centres when needed. I gave Taylor the nod also because he’s just one of those players that loves to prove people wrong, and looks like he was born to play Origin football.

Hannent will be fit for game 2, and Price might be up and running by then too. You can’t leave either player out, so that is sure to create some selection headaches when the time comes around. I really wouldn’t like to be a selector...

Anyways, Mal and the boys will get together tonight for a few beers and decide the Queensland team for game one. No matter who’s selected or who misses out, it’s going to be a very strong team. They’ll announce it tomorrow before lunch, and some massive cheating dumbass is announcing the NSW team tonight during half time of the Eels/Manly game. Enjoy your Monday sports fans.