Ben Hunt and Cameron Munster have been anointed the front-runners to take over the playmaking reins from Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk in a new State of Origin era for Queensland.
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Barring any dramatic developments between now and the series opener on June 6, Hunt’s scintillating form at St George Illawarra will see him join Munster in the halves, according to chief selector Gene Miles.
The pair will be given ‘‘first crack’’ at the positions and performances will then dictate whether the Maroons pick and stick, or shuffle through their options.
Finding an all-new halves combination is a problem Queensland hasn’t had to deal with for more than a decade, with Thurston and Cronk both mainstays during the team’s incredible run of success.
Miles said Cronk’s old No.7 jersey was Hunt’s to lose on the back of his scintillating form since moving to the Dragons on a multi-million dollar deal.
‘‘Anyone that hasn’t been impressed with his form for the first nine rounds is pretty hard to please,’’ Miles told reporters on Thursday.
‘‘They’re getting good value for the money that they’ve paid. Although he only had a very short stint in game three last year with us, he’s done everything right up until now.
‘‘I just hope he stays healthy now and continues on that winning form because it’s very hard to ignore.’’
Hunt’s performances will likely mean Michael Morgan remains in a bench utility role for Queensland, while Munster - who made his Origin debut at the same time as Hunt, in game three last year - is in line to play at five-eighth.
‘‘He’s playing extremely well for Melbourne ... he just has to continue that form to claim that,’’ Miles said.
