Selector makes call on Cobbo's Maroons role
Selwyn Cobbo’s swift transition from the wing to the centres has caught the attention of Origin selectors, as Queensland coach Billy Slater’s selection headache continues to grow.
The 21-year-old’s performance in the centres during the Broncos’ 28-14 triumph over the Dolphins earned praise from league legends Darren Lockyer and Wally Lewis, as the young star continues to make his mark in his push for Maroons selection.
Cobbo has played four games in the Queensland jersey, scoring two tries in the opening game of the 2023 series.
The Broncos star was ruled out of the second and third games in last year’s series due to a hip injury, but has shown selectors he has the ability to slip in the gap and play in the centres if incumbent Maroons star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is not cleared for return.
Tabuai-Fidow played in the centres for all three games in last year’s Origin series and will remain on the sidelines for the next four to six weeks due to a hamstring injury.
The Dolphins star is likely to race the clock to be fit for a return for the series opener at Accor Stadium on June 5, with his expected return to play roughly three weeks beforehand.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports QLDER, Maroons selector Darren Lockyer compared the young winger to league legend Greg Inglis, revealing he believes Cobbo’s success in the centres has the potential to become a dangerous threat.
“I think it’s been a really well-measured start to the year,” the Queensland great said.
