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AAP & rugbyleaguelive.com | 13/05/08 | 0
AUDIO - One-on-one with Queensland coach Mal Meninga
AUDIO - One-on-one with Johnathan Thurston
State of Origin's greatest points scorer Mal Meninga says Queensland's forwards hold the key to an awesome young Maroons backline firing against NSW in next week's Origin opener in Sydney.
Brisbane prop Ben Hannant, named on the bench behind Carl Webb and giant back Israel Folau, are the Origin rookies while hooker PJ Marsh, who last played Origin four years ago, has won a recall as a utility selection after just one hour's football in the past six weeks.
While opinions raged over the controversial omission of in-form Titans halfback Scott Prince -- considered too similar in style to Johnathan Thurston -- and the surprise selection Karmichael Hunt as Darren Lockyer's replacement at five-eighth, Meninga turned to the age old theory that forwards win big matches.
Queensland will field an explosive young backline with Thurston (26) and Hunt (21) in the halves inside young sensations Folau (19) and Greg Inglis (21) on the flanks.
Inglis produced a remarkable display of aerial acrobatics for Mark Gasnier's Test try against New Zealand last week while Folau, the youngest player ever to represent his country, is a modern day version of Meninga.
"I just hope they get the opportunity to be unleashed next Wednesday," Meninga said of his breathtaking backline which also includes Justin Hodges, Billy Slater and Brent Tate.
"Without the forwards doing their work, without their direct play up the middle, without being dominant and without getting good field position, they (the backline) may not get the opportunity to display their skills."
While Hunt was named at five-eighth and Slater at fullback there was a rumour Inglis would start at five-eighth, Hunt in the No.1 jumper, Slater on the wing and Folau in the centres.
Asked about the rumour, Meninga replied: "He (Hunt) is locked in as far as I'm concerned."
Hunt has not played five-eighth for Brisbane at NRL level.
The 21 year-old was "shocked" when Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen broke the news yesterday.
"Bruno had to ring me twice," he said at today's team medical.
"I thought I was playing fullback to start off with and he rang me five minutes later and said I was playing number six.
"I've never played five-eighth at NRL level, let alone making my first appearance at State of Origin level.
"It's going to be a big step up but I'm confident I can handle it."
When told NSW would target his inexperience in such a key position the ever confident Hunt's response was: "they can think that if they want, but it's not going to bother me".
Injured Lockyer will enter camp on the Gold Coast as a specialist five-eighth coach for Hunt leading up to next Wednesday's game in Sydney.
"I think having the best number six helping me out is going to be a huge bonus for me," said Hunt.
Hunt will be happy to take a back seat to Thurston.
"I'll just be working off JT, he's the man and he commands the ball. He'll make my job a whole lot easier," he said.
"He's the number one player in the game at the moment so you wouldn't want to be overriding his calls because nine out of 10 times they work."
Hunt admitted wearing the number six jumper would be very special given Origin's history.
"You could probably call it a sacred number especially when in Origin you have Wally (Lewis) and (Darren) Lockyer who played in the position.
"They're some of the best names in the history of rugby league.
"I'm not there to make history, I'm there to do a job and play a team role and I'll be happy to walk away when Locky comes back."
I just hope they get the opportunity to be unleashed next Wednesday...
Mal Meninga, Queensland coach
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