Each week, The Courier Mail's Pete Badel reports live from Red Hill to give us the latest team news, injury updates and contract sticking points for the three Queensland NRL teams. This week he's got exclusive insight on some major news with QLD stars.
JAI ARROW A MAROON IF HEALTHY
The Titans are the first of the Queensland teams to play with a road trip to Manly on Friday night. There’s some interesting news regarding Titans forwards Jai Arrow and Jarrod Wallace.
They were there last year as part of the Maroons set-up and I can tell you that Arrow is pencilled in. He’s a lock – he just needs to stay healthy.
[NOTE: Less than an hour after Pete said these words, this happened.]
Jai Arrow was able to walk off the field next to @GCTitans doctor. Just watched vision on another camera, he clutched his upper leg after twisting a bit awkwardly in a passing drill. Looks like he’s about to go for a scan at Parkwood @9NewsGoldCoast pic.twitter.com/HOXQCLt4YA
— Dominique Loudon (@dloudon9) May 22, 2019
Jai Arrow just walked past us at @GCTitans headquarters on his way to get his scan. Said he didn’t think his problem was too bad. He thinks it’s an adductor issue & hopefully just a little strain @9NewsGoldCoast
— Dominique Loudon (@dloudon9) May 23, 2019
Jarrod Wallace, will he be there? My mail is that he will. He’s in a battle for the bench position with Joe Ofahengaue. Wallace was good last week: 199 metres against the Bulldogs and while the Titans’ form as a club has been disappointing, Jarrod Wallace has really lifted his game in the past month. I’m hearing that he will be there if he can produce a bumper performance against Manly. I think he’ll be there on the bench, joining Jai Arrow, for Origin I.
GAVIN COOPER'S ORIGIN CAREER IS OVER
My mail is that Gavin Cooper’s Origin career is over; I don’t think he’ll be picked for Origin I. He’s getting on and is off-contract at the moment. He was a great servant for the Maroons in the past two seasons, but there are a glut of young forwards coming through for the Maroons. Matt Gillett is back from injury on that right edge, but I’m hearing he’ll be moved to the left edge for game I, and that will force Gavin Cooper out of the team.
Gavin’s form hasn’t been great, either; I think he’d be the first to admit that. The Cowboys have struggled as a team and that’s had ramifications for Cooper. While he’s been a great servant it would be a major shock if Cooper is there in the Queensland team when it’s named on Monday.
MATT SCOTT IN DANGER OF MISSING OUT
I’m also hearing Matt Scott is facing an uphill battle to be part of Origin I. He’s been an even better servant than Cooper: 22 Origins for the Maroons and an outstanding career since he debuted in 2006, but at this stage he has not done enough in the eyes of Queensland selectors.
He has one final chance against Canberra and Josh Papalii, but at the moment Matt Scott is on the outer.
COEN HESS A LIKELY ORIGIN PLAYER
Coen Hess is another one who is fighting for a bench spot - but probably has a better chance than the other guys. At this stage he is also in danger of missing out, he needs a huge game against the Raiders this week to be in the reckoning.
WILL MILFORD BE THE UTILITY?
Anthony Milford could be the super sub for game I for Queensland. My information is that Maroons selectors are discussing two people for the number 14 spot: Milford and Moses Mbye. They’re also looking at Jake Granville, but I don’t think he has the numbers to get there.
Anthony Milford is the man. Queensland coach Kevvie Walters is a huge fan of Milford; he gave him his Origin debut two years ago and has always been a strident supporter of Milford. He coached him at the Broncos in 2015 as an assistant, so Kevvie has a huge rap on Milford and if Milford produces a big game against the Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday I think you’ll find Milford will lock up the number 14 jersey.
He was there last year in game I, then he made way when Kayln Ponga and Billy Slater came in for game II.
