Maroons fullBack battle

[pies4ever]

Maroons fullback battle
April 27, 2004

PENRITH's Rhys Wesser and Melbourne's Billy Slater are set to fight out the vacant Queensland fullback job after both were included in a preliminary 22-man State of Origin squad today.

With Queensland selectors set to retain Test captain Darren Lockyer at five-eighth, the opportunity is there for Wesser or Slater to take over the Maroons' No.1 jumper.

Canberra's Clinton Schifcofske has again missed out on Queensland selection in another big disappoint for the reliable Raiders custodian.

Origin regular Paul Bowman was also left out of the squad just a week after the North Queensland centre was relieved of the Cowboys' captaincy.

Brisbane's Corey Parker and Penrith's Ben Ross are the only forwards in the squad not to have played Origin football.

Shaun Berrigan, who's been playing in the centres for the Brisbane Broncos, is expected to start at halfback for the Maroons with selectors not naming any other scrumfeeder in the squad.

Melbourne's Cameron Smith is the only hooker in the squad with in-form Brisbane rake Barry Berrigan missing out.

There's a smorgasbord of backline talent with Roosters trio Justin Hodges, Shannon Hegarty and Chris Walker jostling for centre and wing spots with Brisbane Test centre Brent Tate and Cowboys three-some Josh Hannay, Matt Bowen and Matt Sing.

The Queensland side for the May 26 series opener with NSW in Sydney will be announced in Brisbane on May 17.

The preliminary squad gets together with new Queensland coach Michael Hagan in Brisbane next Sunday night.

It is:
Matt Bowen (Cowboys), Shaun Berrigan (Broncos), Dane Carlaw (Broncos), Tonie Carroll (Broncos), Petero Civoniceva (Broncos), Michael Crocker (Roosters), Chris Flannery (Roosters), Josh Hannay (Cowboys), Shannon Hegarty (Roosters), Justin Hodges (Roosters), Darren Lockyer (Broncos), Travis Norton (Cowboys), Corey Parker (Broncos), Steven Price (Bulldogs), Ben Ross (Panthers), Matt Sing (Cowboys), Billy Slater (Storm), Cameron Smith (Storm), Brent Tate (Broncos), Chris Walker (Roosters), Shane Webcke (Broncos), Rhys Wesser (Panthers).

AAP