Qld Teams - QRL flip on Folau

Just days after black-listing AFL defector Israel Folau, Queensland selectors today named the Bronco for Origin II in Brisbane next week.

Following his announcement last week to join the rival code from next season, Folau was told in no uncertain terms by the Queensland Rugby League he had played his last representative match.

The decision was publicly backed by past players and senior leaders Darren Lockyer and Petero Civoniceva however momentum swung over the weekend.

Folau’s likely replacement, Brent Tate, broke his jaw on Sunday and the remaining members of the Queensland squad expressed overwhelming support for Folau.

This support, coinciding with his irresistible form for Brisbane, made Folau impossible to ignore for Origin II as the Maroons push for an unprecedented fifth straight series win.

Queensland also welcome back hooker Cameron Smith for the June 16 clash at Suncorp Stadium.

Smith missed Origin I with an elbow injury sustained in the May 7 Test against New Zealand but made a successful return for the Storm last week.

His replacement in Origin I, Manly hooker Matt Ballin, performed admirably but will have to bide his time in the NRL for now.

In the only other change prop Ben Hannant, who missed Origin I with a knee injury, returns in place of the injured Civoniceva (broken hand).

Hannant will start on the bench with Australian front rower David Shillington pushed into the starting side.

Broncos winger Jharal Yow Yeh has been named 18th man but will be released for NRL duty on Sunday.

The sold-out Brisbane crowd will likely be involved in a tribute to retiring Queensland stalwart Steve Price while captain Lockyer could be playing his final home game for the Maroons.

Titans make changes

A fresh-looking Titans side returns to Skilled Park against a depleted Manly side on Friday night and will hope to get their season back on track following three straight losses.

After conceding a big lead on Sunday, Gold Coast almost stole victory late against the Raiders, eventually falling 28-24 losers.

Coach John Cartwright has reacted to their third straight defeat by ringing in the changes for the match against Manly.

Veteran Mat Rogers returns from an eight week knee injury to partner Sam Tagataese in the centres replacing Clinton Toopi and Joseph Tomane (shoulder).

Bodene Thompson comes back into the side at lock with Ashley Harrison away with the Queensland team.

Luke O’Dwyer is set to return from a knee injury suffered against Manly in Round 26 last season.

O’Dwyer has spent the last month in the Queensland Cup and was named on a five man bench for his NRL return.

Gold Coast under 20’s captain, back-rower Ryan James, has also been named on the bench for what could be the 19-year-olds’ NRL debut.

Five-eighth Greg Bird left the Raiders game late with a knee injury and will likely be assessed later in the week.

NQ season hanging by a thread

With just three wins at the halfway mark of the season, the North Queensland Cowboys season is on life support.

They would be in last position had it not been for the Melbourne Storm salary cap rorting.

The Cowboys host Canberra, who have won their last two games against the Dragons and Titans, on Saturday night at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

Johnathan Thurston and Willie Tonga are definitely out of the match due to Queensland duty.

Michael Morgan returns from a shoulder injury to partner Grant Rovelli in the halves while winger John Williams has been recalled with Will Tupou moving to centre in place of Tonga.

Lock forward Luke O’Donnell was named in a 21 man New South Wales squad and will be unavailable for the Cowboys if, as expected, he makes the final Blues team to be named by tomorrow.

Leeson Ah Mau will start the Raiders game at lock with Carl Webb to replace Queensland prop Matt Scott in the front row.

Steve Rapira returns from a groin injury on a five man bench which also includes forwards Isaak Ah Mau and Dane Hogan.

Hooker Aaron Payne will captain the game North Queensland simply must win.

Norman replaces Lockyer

Brisbane Broncos return to Suncorp Stadium for the first time in a month on the back of four consecutive wins.

Youngster Corey Norman returns to the NRL and will replace Lockyer at five-eighth when Brisbane host South Sydney on Sunday.

Norman started the season at fullback before returning to the under 20’s competition in his preferred pivot position.

He played halfback a month ago in the win over Melbourne and will get another chance at the top grade alongside Peter Wallace this weekend.

Prop Scott Anderson returns on the bench from a four week absence due to an elbow ligament injury while fellow bookend Nick Kenny hopes to make his long awaited comeback from a calf injury.

Matt Gillett replaces Folau in the centres with goal-kicking lock forward Corey Parker to captain the side.

South Sydney will be without dynamic back-row pairing David Taylor (Queensland) and Sam Burgess (England) this weekend.

The Rabbitohs have won their last two games and currently sit in third position on the ladder.

The match will be shown on Channel Nine on a one hour delay Sunday while the Titans are live on Channel Nine from 7:30pm Friday.

The Cowboys are the only match on Saturday and will be live from 7:30pm on Fox Sports.

Queensland vs. NSW, Origin II, June 16th, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (Channel 9, live).
Billy Slater (Melbourne), Darius Boyd (St George-Illawarra), Greg Inglis (Melbourne), Willie Tonga (North Queensland), Israel Folau (Brisbane), Darren Lockyer (captain, Brisbane), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland), Matt Scott (North Queensland), Cameron Smith (Melbourne), David Shillington (Canberra), Nate Myles (Roosters), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane), Ashley Harrison (Gold Coast). Interchange: Cooper Cronk (Melbourne), Ben Hannant (Canterbury-Bankstown), Neville Costigan (St George-Illawarra), David Taylor (South Sydney). 18th Man – Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane).

Gold Coast Titans vs. Manly, Friday 7:30pm, (Channel Nine, live)
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, Bodene Thompson. Interchange: Matthew White, Brad Meyers, Ryan James, Luke O’Dwyer William Zillman (one to be omitted).

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Canberra, Saturday 7:30pm, (Fox Sports, live).
Matthew Bowen, Michael Bani, Ashley Graham, Will Tupou, John Williams, Michael Morgan, Grant Rovelli, Carl Webb, Aaron Payne (c), James Tamou, Scott Bolton, Willie Mason, Leeson Ah Mau. Interchange: Anthony Watts, Steve Rapira, Antonio Kaufusi, Isaak Ah Mau, Dane Hogan (one to be omitted).

Brisbane Broncos vs. South Sydney, Sunday 3pm, (Channel Nine, delayed 4pm)
Josh Hoffman, Antonio Winterstein, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Jharal Yow Yeh, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Shane Tronc, Andrew McCullough, Lagi Setu, Ben Te’o, Ashton Sims, Corey Parker (c). Interchange: Ben Hunt, Scott Anderson, Mitchell Dodds, Nick Kenny.