Qld Teams - Maroons removed from dramatic build

After an Origin build-up never before seen, Queensland will look to cap the week with a victory in Origin II tomorrow to secure an unprecedented fifth consecutive series.

As both sides prepare for a potential record-breaking match, all of the pre-game hype has involved off-field incidents.

The drama began last Tuesday with many former and current players and media voicing opinions on the merits of Queensland selecting AFL-defector Israel Folau.

While most Queenslanders were supportive of the move, many south of the border were calling for the NRL to review their policy and ban Folau, and future code hoppers, from all future representative matches including Origin III.

Hours after Folau’s selection, New South Wales fullback Jarryd Hayne was sensationally cleared by the NRL judiciary for his Round 13 head butt on Maroons custodian Billy Slater.

The Folau debate briefly returned to the news agenda but was quickly forgotten in the wake of Timana Tahu’s dramatic withdrawal from the Blues camp and the subsequent Andrew Johns racism case.

The incident dominated all Origin hype with the Queensland side enjoying a quiet lead-in to the match on the Sunshine Coast.

Halfback Johnathan Thurston had a minor calf injury but was cleared for Origin II over the weekend and the Maroons are now in Brisbane for their final preparations.

Ben Hannant has replaced Petero Civoniceva (broken hand) and hooker Cameron Smith returns from injury, in place of capable deputy Matt Ballin, in the only changes from the opening 28-24 victory.

Injured Queensland stalwart Steve Price, who is retiring from the NRL at the end of the year, has spent time in camp with the Maroons and there will be a tribute to him at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night.

Good conditions are forecast for the match with a crowd of up to 50,000 fans expected to fill out the stadium.

Broncos shoot for six

Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak has a welcome selection headache as the Broncos aim for their sixth straight victory.

In the first leg of a Suncorp Stadium double-header Friday night, the Broncos hope to include Origin trio Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday and Israel Folau when they host Penrith.

The young squad shone without their big names in demolishing the Rabbitohs 50-22 last Sunday as Brisbane became the first team to record five wins in a row this season.

Only five-eighth Corey Norman, who had a strong game against Souths, has been omitted pending Lockyer’s fitness following Origin II.

Matt Gillett and Ashton Sims have been pushed back to a seven man bench which again includes prop Nick Kenny.

Having aborted several comeback attempts from a calf tear, Kenny hopes to be now fully over the injury and available again for selection.

The Broncos are log-jammed with several other teams in the middle of the table but sit just two wins behind the second-placed Panthers.

Titans’ Bailey in doubt

Gold Coast prop Luke Bailey will need to pass a late-week fitness test to play in part two of the Suncorp Stadium double-header on Friday night.

Bailey injured his ankle during the Titans 28-14 win over Manly last round and will be checked, along with Queensland lock Ashley Harrison, before Friday’s match with Canterbury Bulldogs.

Coach John Cartwright named a 19 man squad to face the Bulldogs as cover for any late week injury omissions.

Fullback utility William Zillman was left out against Manly and has been listed as the last man on the six man bench for this weekend.

The bench for the Bulldogs game also includes young prop Ryan James after the 19-year-old impressed in his debut last week.

It is the second year in a row the Titans face Canterbury as the second leg of a Suncorp Stadium double-header with the Bulldogs choosing to bring their home game to Brisbane for the event.

Cowboys head to Melbourne

On the back of a season-saving 16-8 win over the Raiders, North Queensland head to AAMI Park for a showdown with the Storm on Saturday.

Coach Neil Henry today included captain Johnathan Thurston, centre Willie Tonga, prop Matt Scott and lock Luke O’Donnell in the 17 man squad for the trip.

Fullback Shannon Gallant and utility Ben Harris, who played five-eighth against Canberra, have unluckily been omitted from the squad.

Ashley Graham has been pushed out to the wing with Steve Rapira dropping back to the bench.

Veteran forwards Carl Webb and Willie Mason starred on Saturday night and will need to be at their best again to tackle a Storm side that should be boosted by the return of several Origin stars.

The Cowboys last night announced the re-signing of young playmaker Ray Thompson while also securing Broncos winger Antonio Winterstein for three years from season 2011.

North Queensland’s trip to Melbourne will be shown live on Fox Sports from 5:30pm Saturday.

Friday night’s double-header kicks off with the Broncos game at the earlier time of 7pm, with the Bulldogs and Titans to follow from about 8:45pm.

However at this stage both matches will be delayed on Channel Nine from 7:30pm Friday.

Queensland vs. NSW, Origin II, Wednesday, Suncorp Stadium, (Channel Nine, live).
Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Willie Tonga, Israel Folau, Darren Lockyer (c), Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, David Shillington, Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Cooper Cronk, Ben Hannant, Neville Costigan, David Taylor.

Brisbane Broncos vs. Penrith, Friday 7pm, (Channel Nine, delayed 7:30pm)
Josh Hoffman, Antonio Winterstein, Alex Glenn, Israel Folau, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Shane Tronc, Andrew McCullough, Lagi Setu, Ben Te’o, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Matt Gillett, Mitchell Dodds, Ashton Sims, Nick Kenny, Scott Anderson, Josh McGuire (three to be omitted).

Gold Coast Titans vs. Bulldogs, Friday 8:45pm, (Channel Nine, delayed 9:30pm)
Preston Campbell, Kevin Gordon, Mat Rogers, Sam Tagataese, David Mead, Greg Bird, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Michael Henderson, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matthew White, Brad Meyers, Ryan James, Bodene Thompson, Luke O’Dwyer, William Zillman (two to be omitted).

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Melbourne, Saturday 5:30pm, (Fox Sports, live).
Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Will Tupou, Willie Tonga, John Williams, Michael Morgan, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Scott Bolton, Willie Mason, Luke O’Donnell. Interchange: Anthony Watts, Steve Rapira, Leeson Ah Mau, James Tamou.