As the rugby league world anxiously awaits Greg Inglis’ next move, Queensland coach Kevin Walters has declared the Maroons captain is no selection certainty for the 2019 series opener against NSW.
Inglis’ future has been a hot topic in recent days after South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett gave the 32-year-old the week off to clear his head and heal his wounded body.
The veteran was hampered by a chronic knee injury in the pre-season and has been sidelined with a shoulder injury that is rumoured to be arthritic since Round 1.
Having already declared he’ll hang up the boots at the end of 2020, Inglis will report to Redfern on Monday morning and is expected to discuss his immediate playing future with Bennett.
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But rather than wait to hear whether Inglis will play on or retire immediately, Walters has boldly declared the veteran of 32 Origins for the Maroons is not currently in his 17-man squad for the June 5 opener at Suncorp Stadium.
“I can’t pick Greg right now,” Walters told The Courier-Mail’s Peter Badel.
“To be honest, if Origin I was next week, we wouldn’t pick Greg. His body just isn’t right.”
The coach cited his controversial decision not to select Billy Slater for Game 1 of the 2017 series as a precedent for his possible Inglis snub.
Slater was playing well for the Melbourne Storm at the time after returning from off-season shoulder surgery but Walters and his fellow selectors instead selected Darius Boyd due to concerns over his fitness.
Walters added he spoke to Inglis last week but was given no indication of the possible future Immortal’s plans.
NSW-born Inglis has been among the first players picked for Queensland since his debut in 2006.
Inglis’ Rabbitohs team-mate Dane Gagai would be his logical replacement at centre if the skipper either opts to retire in the coming days or is sensationally overlooked by Maroons selectors for Game 1.
