dogslyfe
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What a load!!! Matt Bowen is old as shiiii http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...vourite-to-replace-slater-20120620-20ojd.html
MATT BOWEN is poised to receive a shock recall to the Origin arena for the deciding game at Suncorp Stadium.
Bowen is one of several fullbacks in contention to replace the injured Billy Slater, along with Greg Inglis, Ben Barba and Darius Boyd.
However, Maroons sources have told the Herald Bowen has the inside running, and can cement his place with a solid performance in Saturday night's clash with Canberra at Townsville. Senior Queensland players have been approached for their feedback on who they think should wear the No.1 jersey. Their response has almost unanimously come back as Bowen, a squad favourite who has a proven track record in the Origin cauldron.
Advertisement: Story continues below Johnathan Thurston has been particularly strong in pushing for Bowen. The pair form a lethal combination at club level for North Queensland, and Thurston believes his selection would limit the disruption in the lead-up to the decider. There would also be the added bonus of having fellow Cowboys Brent Tate and Matt Scott in the side.
Much of the focus for the Maroons will revolve around providing legendary prop Petero Civoniceva a fitting farewell. However, it is understood senior players view it as an opportunity to give Bowen, a 10-game veteran for the Maroons, a representative send-off of his own.
''Matt Bowen is in the box seat,'' the source told the Herald. ''The selectors are keen to closely scrutinise the form of all of the candidates over the weekend, but there's a feeling that he is the best option. His club combination with Thurston, in particular, and Tate is important and will mean they hit the ground running in camp.''
Bowen's selection would cap a remarkable return to the top flight. His career was at the crossroads when he underwent his second knee reconstruction three years ago. However, the 30-year-old has bounced back strongly to score nine tries this season.
Barba has been in tremendous form for Canterbury, and his defence has improved markedly under the coaching of Des Hasler. Inglis also has claims, making the No.1 jersey his own at South Sydney. However, the source said the team preferred not strengthening one position by weakening another, and it's likely Inglis will remain in the centres.
Inglis said yesterday he was still holding out hope that Slater would make a miraculous recovery, but that if the Storm star wasn't fit he was happy to let Meninga decide his position. ''The beauty of it is that you can put me there, or you can put Benny Barba or Matty Bowen or Darius Boyd back there,'' Inglis said. ''No matter who is there, they'll do a job for us.''
Inglis said the elbow injury he suffered playing for Souths in their win over Parramatta last weekend wouldn't stop him taking the field against the Broncos in Brisbane tomorrow night. ''My elbow will be fine, fit and ready to go,'' he said. ''There's no issues, just a small tear. Nothing has snapped, it's just a bit of swelling around the capsule, and I've stretched the ligaments.''
Barba said yesterday he would be thrilled if Meninga went for him to replace Slater. ''If I ever get the chance to wear that Maroons jumper, I'll take it head on,'' Barba said. ''It's definitely a dream of mine to do that.''
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rug...lace-slater-20120620-20ojd.html#ixzz1yNbWnNZi
MATT BOWEN is poised to receive a shock recall to the Origin arena for the deciding game at Suncorp Stadium.
Bowen is one of several fullbacks in contention to replace the injured Billy Slater, along with Greg Inglis, Ben Barba and Darius Boyd.
However, Maroons sources have told the Herald Bowen has the inside running, and can cement his place with a solid performance in Saturday night's clash with Canberra at Townsville. Senior Queensland players have been approached for their feedback on who they think should wear the No.1 jersey. Their response has almost unanimously come back as Bowen, a squad favourite who has a proven track record in the Origin cauldron.
Advertisement: Story continues below Johnathan Thurston has been particularly strong in pushing for Bowen. The pair form a lethal combination at club level for North Queensland, and Thurston believes his selection would limit the disruption in the lead-up to the decider. There would also be the added bonus of having fellow Cowboys Brent Tate and Matt Scott in the side.
Much of the focus for the Maroons will revolve around providing legendary prop Petero Civoniceva a fitting farewell. However, it is understood senior players view it as an opportunity to give Bowen, a 10-game veteran for the Maroons, a representative send-off of his own.
''Matt Bowen is in the box seat,'' the source told the Herald. ''The selectors are keen to closely scrutinise the form of all of the candidates over the weekend, but there's a feeling that he is the best option. His club combination with Thurston, in particular, and Tate is important and will mean they hit the ground running in camp.''
Bowen's selection would cap a remarkable return to the top flight. His career was at the crossroads when he underwent his second knee reconstruction three years ago. However, the 30-year-old has bounced back strongly to score nine tries this season.
Barba has been in tremendous form for Canterbury, and his defence has improved markedly under the coaching of Des Hasler. Inglis also has claims, making the No.1 jersey his own at South Sydney. However, the source said the team preferred not strengthening one position by weakening another, and it's likely Inglis will remain in the centres.
Inglis said yesterday he was still holding out hope that Slater would make a miraculous recovery, but that if the Storm star wasn't fit he was happy to let Meninga decide his position. ''The beauty of it is that you can put me there, or you can put Benny Barba or Matty Bowen or Darius Boyd back there,'' Inglis said. ''No matter who is there, they'll do a job for us.''
Inglis said the elbow injury he suffered playing for Souths in their win over Parramatta last weekend wouldn't stop him taking the field against the Broncos in Brisbane tomorrow night. ''My elbow will be fine, fit and ready to go,'' he said. ''There's no issues, just a small tear. Nothing has snapped, it's just a bit of swelling around the capsule, and I've stretched the ligaments.''
Barba said yesterday he would be thrilled if Meninga went for him to replace Slater. ''If I ever get the chance to wear that Maroons jumper, I'll take it head on,'' Barba said. ''It's definitely a dream of mine to do that.''
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rug...lace-slater-20120620-20ojd.html#ixzz1yNbWnNZi
