Selwyn Cobbo will no longer be a teenager when he lines up for the national anthem before the State of Origin opener, but legendary New South Wales Blues coach Phil Gould still believes the boom Bronco has been selected for his Queensland debut too soon.
Rookie Maroons coach Billy Slater couldn’t resist picking Cobbo on the back of phenomenal form in his second season in the NRL, locking him in for Queensland’s right wing.
The 19-game Bronco has exploded in recent weeks, crossing for 10 tries in his last six appearances, including three doubles and a hat-trick.
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But it’s Cobbo’s ability without the ball that has Gould questioning his Maroons selection.
“He’s obviously a player of the future,” Gould said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
“Personally, I think it’s too early. But Queensland have done this with outside backs in the past and they obviously have a huge opinion of (Cobbo).
“He’s a strike player.”
Former NSW captain Paul Gallen was perplexed at Gould’s view.
“Gus, what makes you think it’s too early when you’ve seen the way he’s played?” Gallen said.
“For me, particularly when he comes out of the backfield – that’s where he’s been so damaging. He makes some 50-, 60-metre breaks coming out of the backfield.
“So what makes you think it’s too early? Purely age?”
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Gould explained his thinking.
“His reads in defence,” he replied.
“I think under pressure at a different level (it) can be quite telling at different stages of the game. That’s where he’s going to be targeted, that’s where he’s going to be found out.
“Not so much worried about him in the air, not so much worried about him bringing it back, he’s not scared, he’s a big boy, he’s going to handle himself physically.
“But the way these blokes play and the way they move the ball these days and the speed at which they do it and the accuracy of their passing, when you’re playing against (James) Tedesco and these fellas, Jarome Luai – they are going to target him down that side of the field.”
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Cobbo will turn 20 three days before making his Origin debut.
The man set to line up on the Maroons’ left wing – Melbourne flyer Xavier Coates – made his Origin debut at 19 years and 235 days, getting his chance under Wayne Bennett in the 2020 opener.
Greg Inglis and Israel Folau were also introduced to the Origin cauldron at an earlier age than Cobbo.
Slater was rapt to give him a chance.
“He said thank you a few times,” the Maroons coach said with a grin.
“He’s a likeable lad and he’s taken the game by storm. He’s really lit the game up, he brings so much excitement.
“He’s doing a lot right that we don’t focus on, as well, which is a big reason why he’s there.”
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