He rates the 2013 NSW team one of the best he’s seen but Queensland forward David Shillington has laughed off talk the Maroons may be undersized for next week’s State of Origin opener.
And Maroons coach Mal Meninga also has no concerns about the paucity of specialist props in his squad, declaring Origin is about “the size of the ticker”.
Queensland raised eyebrows when they opted for a mobile pack for next Wednesday’s Origin I in Sydney, ignoring the claims of Sydney Roosters bruiser Martin Kennedy and Brisbane big boy Josh McGuire.
At 194cm and 114kg, Shillington certainly fits the mould of an Origin front-rower.
And just as well – he will attempt to fill the big shoes of retired great Petero Civoniceva after being named in Queensland’s starting front row with Matt Scott.
The lack of other specialist props has sparked talk Queensland may be found wanting against a NSW outfit who will inject 196cm, 114kg Cronulla juggernaut Andrew Fifita and Dragons prop Trent Merrin off the bench.
However, Meninga appears to have moved to counter the mobility NSW have opted for in recent times when playing skipper Paul Gallen out of position at prop while selecting the likes of Greg Bird.
Asked on Tuesday if Queensland were a “prop short”, Shillington said: “We got the right selections.
“Myself and Scotty (Matt Scott) may play a few more minutes than normal, who knows?
“But when we are off we have mobile forwards who can take the reins.
“Their pack is not much bigger, it is kind of easily matched.
“People like Marty Kennedy, Josh McGuire were spoken about but the people we have got you don’t want to replace them with anyone.”
Shillington – who will line up for his eighth Origin clash since his 2009 debut – was glowing in praise for the Blues line-up, saying Fifita can be NSW’s game-breaker.
“There are no controversial selections from my point of view, they are all in great form,” he said.
“There’s Fifita on the bench and he’s a bit of an X-factor for them. He can do anything.
“And the halves (Sydney Roosters pair Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney), usually they are a controversial selection but those two players have been unbelievable.”
If Queensland need an injection into their pack after Origin I, out of sorts Gold Coast forward David Taylor should not be holding his breath.
Meninga appeared far from impressed with Taylor, who earlier this season earned a two-game ban from the Titans due to his attitude.
“It’s up to David really for him to get back in order both on the field and off the field,” he said.
“The Titans are pulling the right strings as far as his recovery from where he has been.”
Meanwhile, Meninga sounded quietly confident about injured winger Darius Boyd (ankle) but gave him until Friday to prove his fitness.
Melbourne flyer Justin O’Neill is on standby.
Maroons back-rower Ben Te’o (leg) has been cleared after a scare in South Sydney’s NRL loss to Cronulla on Monday night.