Queensland Maroons selector Darren Lockyer recently addressed the omission of winger Selwyn Cobbo from the Origin squad ahead of Game 2. Lockyer described the decision as “easy,” attributing it to Cobbo’s struggles with form and fitness, including playing through injuries. He noted that Cobbo had been dealing with physical issues and that his performance had been affected, leading to the decision to exclude him from the team.
This move added to the selection challenges faced by coach Billy Slater, who was already contending with injuries to key players. Notably, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow suffered an AC joint injury, raising concerns about his availability for the series.
Additionally, Daly Cherry-Evans’ decision to continue playing created further selection dilemmas for Slater, particularly in the halves.
Lockyer’s insights shed light on the complexities of team selection, especially when balancing player welfare with the demands of representative football. His comments also highlight the importance of form and fitness in securing a spot in the Origin team, emphasizing that such decisions, while difficult, are made with the team’s best interests in mind
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