Five years since his last Origin appearance, Matt Bowen is firming as favourite to replace injured Queensland fullback Billy Slater after Johnathan Thurston became the latest to push his cause.
But NSW coach Ricky Stuart still needs some convincing that Slater will not run out in July 4’s Origin decider in Brisbane.
Bowen, 30, played the last of his 10 Origins back in 2007.
However, Bowen’s combination with Maroons pivot and Cowboys teammate Thurston, along with Queensland’s reluctance to move Greg Inglis from the centres, is expected to seal the diminutive No.1 a belated 11th Maroons cap.
After Queensland coach Mal Meninga described the Cowboys gamebreaker as “an attractive proposition” on Friday, Thurston did his best to further push the Bowen bandwagon ahead of Saturday night’s NRL clash with Canberra in Townsville.
“That’s obviously an option for selectors. If that is how they decide to go no doubt he will do the job and hopefully do Queensland proud,” he said on Friday.
“Matty and I have been playing together for a long time so we know each other’s game very well.
“(And) he’s been there (Origin) before. He knows what it is all about.
“Hopefully he gets the call on Monday.”
But Stuart was still bracing himself for Slater to help Queensland secure a remarkable seventh straight Origin series next month in Brisbane.
Indeed Queensland selectors have made no secret of keeping the door open for Slater, despite the Melbourne matchwinner being ruled out for at least a month with a knee injury.
“Billy will give himself every chance to play and I think he will get there,” Stuart told NRL on Fox.
The Blues mentor has his own injury woes – he is believed to be mulling over Beau Scott, Tony Williams, Ryan Hoffman and even veteran Nathan Hindmarsh as a replacement for injured backrower Glenn Stewart (knee).
Whoever runs out is sure to face a hostile atmosphere after Stuart refused to back down from his claim that a “smug” Queensland did not show his side respect.
“I don’t think there is a lot of respect for us to be quite honest,” he said.
“On the back of 6-0 (series wins) you don’t expect to have it.
“We have to earn that.”
Another standout performance against the Raiders on Saturday night may yet seal a remarkable Origin comeback for Bowen.
It would bring welcome smiles at the Cowboys, who were reeling from the news that co-captain Matt Scott’s mother Dianne lost her battle with throat cancer on Thursday night.
Scott has pulled out of Saturday night’s game.
“It’s a tough time,” Cowboys coach Neil Henry said.
“We have the sad news and Ashton Sims is out as well (due to suspension) so we’ll be missing a couple of front-rowers.
“But I’m confident in the squad and the depth that we’ve got.”
