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Billy Slater still not over the line yet as Queensland weigh up Origin options

Phil Lutton
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Billy Slater has yet to rubber-stamp his inclusion in the Queensland team for their do-or-die State of Origin clash in Sydney, while Maroons powerbrokers remain confident of convincing a wavering Coen Hess that he can step up to the plate if called into action.

These are curious times north of the border as the Queenslanders try to regroup ahead of game two at ANZ Stadium, where they will attempt to keep the series alive in the wake of a 28-4 drubbing in the opener at Suncorp Stadium.

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At one end, Queensland find themselves with a youngster regarded as an Origin must by almost everyone but himself. His Cowboys coach Paul Green, too, feels it's too soon for 20-year-old back-rower Hess to be elevated into state colours.

At the other, a future Immortal in Slater must back up his form against Newcastle with a strong showing against reigning premiers Cronulla to ensure he returns to the Maroons line-up, with many already feeling his omission for game one was an injustice.

With Queensland's forwards given an 80-minute mauling from a younger, bigger and faster Blues pack, the Maroons have little choice but to look for bulk and power ahead of game two. That puts Hess squarely in the frame even if, for the second time in as many matches, it puts the QRL at odds with a club coach.

Wayne Bennett was vocal when faced with having Anthony Milford included as a shadow player for Johnathan Thurston, before he was eventually named at five-eighth and started the game in the No.6 jersey.

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Now Green has made it clear he regards Hess as too green for representative football, although Maroons coach Kevin Walters has tended to regard the apprehension of the powerful Bundaberg product as humility.

"So I think he was just being a little bit humble, which is a good sign because you don't want to be throwing yourself out there that you're the next big thing in Origin.That only brings you undone, doesn't it?" Walters told Sky Sports Radio.

In reality, Green has no power to prevent Queensland from using Hess if he was included in the 17. And it would be without precedent for a player to refuse an Origin start if named in the squad.

Selectors remain confident of smoothing matters over with Green should Hess pound the door down again next week, although the decision on Slater will be held over until selectors see his performance against the Sharks, who feature a number of key NSW players.

He was in brilliant attacking touch against the Knights and many felt that performance would guarantee his return to the Maroons. But Fairfax Media understands it is no fait accompli, with any decision to shift Australian fullback Darius Boyd considered a highly significant call.

Walters said Slater had proven his fitness beyond any doubt after nine games back in the NRL. But his defence has caused some concern, while there is also the feeling that Queensland's back three did little wrong when playing most of the night off their own line.

"There's no concern with Billy Slater," Walter said. "We've just seen him get better and better. That's what we hoped would happen with Billy. He's right back in the frame now for game two."

Johnathan Thurston needs only to get through a club game to return to a side that may well rely on greats of the past, rather than talents of the future, to stretch the series to a decider at Suncorp Stadium.

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