Broncos trio knocking on Slater’s door for Maroons
Joel Gould |
Brisbane only have one representative in the Queensland side but that could soon change if three of their Maroons contenders can string two strong games together.
Only lock Pat Carrigan will play for the Maroons in the second match of the State of Origin series in Perth but Reece Walsh, Jesse Arthars and Brendan Piakura could rocket into contention for game three, pending the Origin result on Wednesday night.
Utility Ben Hunt, still absent with a hamstring injury, won’t be available for the clash with Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday but the Broncos hope to have him back for the Warriors or Canterbury games in the weeks ahead.
Second-rower Jack Gosiewski is set to return from a broken arm against the Sharks off the bench.
Broncos prop Ben Te Kura had surgery on a syndesmosis injury and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
The Broncos are hoping to build on their 44-14 win over Gold Coast in round 14 before their bye.
Walsh, on return from a knee injury, had his best match of the season with two tries and an elite passing game to put him in the frame for a Maroons recall.
Winger Arthars was in Queensland’s camp ahead of game one of the series, won 18-6 by NSW. He has been one of the Broncos best players the past three years and is highly regarded by Maroons coach Billy Slater.
Back-rower Piakura has had an up and down season but when on song he is an attacking and defensive threat, as he was against the Titans.
His issue has been consistency but Slater also brought the barnstorming forward into camp last year and gave him sage advice.
“The message was about making sure there’s detail in the little things … my positioning, both in attack and defence, and just working with my halfback,” Piakura said.
“If I just keep playing consistently and good footy, hopefully I will get that call-up.”
Arthars said he was hopeful his Origin dream would soon be realised.
“When I went into the camp I just wanted to soak it all in, and I think just the intensity of the training is what I took out of it,” he said
“I’ve tried to bring it back here for the boys. It’s something I’ve been working on over the years, and to get the call from Bill was pretty special.
“To be considered and in the picture for Origin is something I’ve always wanted to be a part of and I really enjoyed the experience I had.”
Walsh, who played in the past two Origin series, is the most likely to come into the Maroons frame.
“Walshy went through a tough period with his knee, and he’s another player we want to have out there as much as we can,” Arthars said.
“He works just as hard as anyone else at the club, so to have him back last week against the Titans was pretty nice. He brought that energy and everyone loves playing with him.”
AAP
