Rival half backed to replace Hunt in brutal call; NSW to unleash enforcer in opener: Origin Scout
Maroons legend Corey Parker has backed Tom Dearden to grab the utility role over veteran Ben Hunt for the State of Origin series opener later this month, while the former Queensland lock says coach Billy Slater has another big choice to make on his bench.
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Dearden claimed the Ron McAuliffe Medal as Queensland’s player of the series last year after he started all three games at five-eighth with Cameron Munster out injured.
But the Storm superstar is fit and firing and is expected to reclaim his No.6 jersey to partner incumbent skipper Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.
That leaves Slater with a selection headache between Dearden, who has been in terrific form for the Cowboys, and Hunt, who has played 20 matches for the Maroons but has been hot and cold in his return to Brisbane.
Hunt has been a mainstay in the Maroons side and has twice been named their player of the series, with the 20-gamer scoring some famous tries when he’s filled in at hooker or in the halves.
“For the last 10 years or so, Ben Hunt has been No. 14,” Parker said on SENQ.
“He’s found his role there and he’s come on and done a job.
“Unfortunately, for me and Ben, at this point in time, I can’t go past what we see from Tom Dearden, so Tom Dearden goes into that 14 role.
“This organically happens (with the Maroons). Michael Morgan used to do it, Cooper Cronk used to do it and Ben Hunt is doing it now, but I’m now bringing in Tommy Dearden.”
Parker has picked a very strong squad based on current form, with the Maroons great unsure who should win the final spot on the bench.
Lindsay Collins has been out for a month with a knee injury but is expected to return after the Roosters’ bye, while the versatile Reuben Cotter has copped a two-match ban and won’t play again until the team for game one is announced.
“This is where I’m stuck,” Parker said.
“It’s Lindsay Collins or Reuben Cotter for me.
“Reuben Cotter is suspended but will be available for selection. He won’t have played for about 25 days by Origin I.
“I was talking to Lindsay Collins over the weekend – I ran into him at Suncorp – and he says he’ll be back soon.”
LENIU SET TO BE UNLEASHED ON MAROONS
Elsewhere, Roosters enforcer Spencer Leniu is reportedly set to be unleashed on Queensland in the State of Origin opener on May 28, which will result in a fiery battle with the Maroons’ faithful.
The Daily Telegraph reported Leniu is tipped to be picked on the bench in Laurie Daley’s team for game one, setting up a fiery battle with Queensland and their rabid home crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
Leniu, who is known for “wanting to hurt people” has had a tumultuous 14 months after public battles with Queenslanders Pat Carrigan, Johnathan Thurston and Ezra Mam.
The fiery prop could be set to be Queensland’s public enemy number one in the Suncorp Origin cauldron.
Blues legend Mark Carroll is excited to watch Leniu take on the Queenslanders with his old school approach.
“Leniu runs from the back fence and wants to hurt people – I love the way he plays,” Carroll told The Daily Telegraph.
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“We are playing the most physical game in the world so if Leniu can play for NSW, I would want him there. Rugby league and State of Origin loves theatre – we need theatre.”
Carroll encouraged the Queensland faithful to do their best to put Leniu off his game, but doesn’t think it will phase him or change his approach.
“Go for it, give it to him. Boos and louder than cheers. It won’t worry him,” Carroll said.
Maroons legend Billy Moore believes the Queensland crowd giving it to Leniu is par for the course.
“Queenslanders will give him (Leniu) a rev-up because that’s what Queenslanders love to do,” Moore said.
Leniu was suspended last year for eight games after calling Brisbane’s Ezra Mam a “monkey” before then engaging in heated words with Carrigan in their Las Vegas hotel corridor post-game.
And last month, Leniu clashed heatedly during and after a NRL game with Queensland legend Thurston, who was completing sideline commentary for Channel 9.
Leniu reportedly took exception to Thurston calling for a bigger ban for the Mam incident and accused him of being fake.
Queensland always look out for their own, so Leniu is set to be a target for the crowd every time he gets the ball in the series opener.