Queensland rugby league coach Kevin Walters admits rising star Coen Hess has put himself on the map for a stunning State of Origin call-up as the search continues for some new Maroons forwards.
A season-ending knee injury to Matt Scott and the retirement of Corey Parker has opened the door for the Maroons’ next generation of big men to fill the void.
“There’ll be some opportunities there for sure, particularly in the forwards, with no Corey and no Matt Scott,” Walter said at the Origin launch in Sydney on Monday.
The second-year Maroons coach says Cowboys youngster Hess and teammate Ethan Lowe have caught his attention after strong starts to the NRL season.
Hess impressed with two tries in the Cowboys’ win over Gold Coast last weekend.
“He was in our emerging squad early this year and he’s progressing very quickly,” Walters said.
“We’ll just see how he goes in the next six-to-eight weeks before we’ve actually got to select the side. But he’s doing everything right at the moment and really opening the eyes up of a lot of people.
“They’ve both been in good touch for them. Those two, their bodies are built for Origin and what Origin provides.”
The Maroons will be forced to make at least three changes to the side that lost the dead rubber against NSW last season, with mainstay Greg Inglis recently suffering a serious knee injury.
However Walters is likely to insert veteran Billy Slater straight into the No.1 jumper following his successful return from twin shoulder reconstructions, and shift Darius Boyd to the wing.
Dane Gagai is expected to slot into Inglis’ centre spot.
“I think (Slater is) more suited at fullback and Darius on the wing. But you never say never to things and options,” Walters said.
“I guess his body will tell us that the next month of NRL. They’ve had some tough games, the Storm. It’s a really tough competition again this year, the NRL.
“So we’ll see how he goes in four-to-six weeks and see how the body’s holding up and how his mindset is. He’ll know whether he’s ready for Origin or not.”
