Selwyn Cobbo’s electric performances for Brisbane this season have led to a host of rugby league greats calling for the rising Bronco to be handed his State of Origin debut.
But Queensland selector Darren Lockyer has cast doubt over whether the 19-year-old’s introduction to Origin will arrive so soon.
“He’s a pretty relaxed player, but to go and play the Blues in game one in Sydney – that’s a big challenge,” Lockyer said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
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“I’m not saying he’s not up to it, but you’ve got to take a lot of that stuff into consideration.
“Just because they’re playing well… in their clubs, it doesn’t always translate into playing well on that stage.”
Cobbo has impressed with his speed, strength and liveliness throughout the Broncos’ revival this season, which has seen Kevin Walters‘ men string together four wins in succession to rise to fifth on the ladder after 11 rounds.
Cobbo has bagged nine tries in his last five games, including a hat-trick and three doubles.
Kyle Feldt played two of the three Origin games in 2021 and has starred on the right wing for the rejuvenated Cowboys this season, scoring seven tries.
Corey Oates, a seasoned campaigner with eight Origin games beside his name, has shone on the left wing for the Broncos this season, chalking up 10 four-pointers.
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Given that Xavier Coates played all three Origin games in 2021 and has been superb in his first season with Melbourne, snaring 10 tries, it’s likely that Cobbo, Feldt and Oates are scrapping for the other Maroons wing spot.
In defence of Cobbo, former New South Wales captain Paul Gallen pointed out on 100% Footy that Greg Inglis made his Queensland Origin debut at 19 and “excelled from day one”.
Inglis crossed for two tries on his debut, in the 2006 opener at Stadium Australia, and his tally of 18 Origin four-pointers is unrivalled.
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Queensland coach Billy Slater sent Cobbo a more promising sign than Lockyer on Wide World of Sports’ Billy’s Breakdown.
“With age comes youth and exuberance, and you see that with the Cowboys at the moment,” Slater said, speaking of Cobbo and fellow Queensland Origin bolter Jeremiah Nanai.
“The one thing they don’t have is experience. But you don’t get experience unless you get an opportunity.
“Not just the highlights Selwyn Cobbo and Jeremiah Nanai have been producing – it’s the effort actions, the defensive actions, bringing the ball out of trouble. Doing a lot of the things the team sees, but not necessarily what we focus on on TV. They’ve been doing that, which is really good.
“Age is only a number to me if they’re doing those actions.”
The Blues squad will be announced on Sunday night and the Maroons’ on Monday morning.
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