Billy Slater’s decision to pick an outside back in Selwyn Cobbo on the Queensland bench raised eyebrows and one rugby league legend “can’t imagine” how he can make an impact.
Cobbo, 21, has been excellent for the Broncos in 2024, plying his trade in the centres and at fullback after previously being on the wing under Kevin Walters.
The Broncos gun was beaten out by Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi for the Queensland wing spots, but Slater had a very specific reason for carrying an outside back on the bench.
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“To be honest four of our last six games we have had to replace an outside back, so that’s the first reason,” Slater said on NRL360 on Monday night.
“The second reason is that Selwyn Cobbo is a wonderful player, we’ve seen him play in multiple positions. Wing, centre and at fullback for the Broncos.
“He’s just one of those players that you want out on the field. We will build a bit of a plan how to inject him into the game if he’s not needed in the outside backs.
“Queensland’s been accustomed to do that over the years… we will work out what’s best for the team and Selwyn.”
The Australia’s Brent Read asked the Queensland coach if Cobbo could be injected as a middle forward, with the Maroons employing that tactic in past series.
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Knights gun Kalyn Ponga, current halfback Daly Cherry-Evans and Queensland legend Cooper Cronk have all previously been injected into the middle of the park off the bench in Origin.
“Yeah, anything’s possible. Selwyn is a big body, so bringing him on the field would be a dangerous prospect,” Slater said.
“Selwyn being out there on the field at some stage throughout the game is going to be exciting for Queenslanders… he’s never let his state down.”
But league legend Braith Anasta wasn’t buying it and “can’t imagine” Cobbo playing that role, despite being one of the NRL’s in-form players.
“I couldn’t imagine him in the middle of the field, I can imagine him anywhere (in the backline),” Anasta said.
“I can imagine those players because they can play at No.9, Selwyn runs out of dummy-half, would be hard to stop, especially with a fatiguing defensive line later in the half.
“But I still can’t imagine it…. It’s like you just need him in the team, put him on the bench and he can play anywhere because he’s been going so good.”
Read then went on to reveal a damning statistic that could come back to haunt NSW who have opted to pick four forwards on their bench.
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“There’s a stat going around from games this year that if you lose an outside back in the first half of a footy game this year, if you don’t carry one you lose,” Read said.
“I think it’s something like six out of 24 games this year, the team that’s lost an outside back in the first half and not had one on the bench (has lost).”
Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield added: “He’s still a weapon, you bring him on and you roam him. You give him the Turbo (Trbojevic) license of a couple of years ago.
“Don’t stick to one side and just… play.”
Queensland legend Gorden Tallis backed Slater’s call and was of the belief the move could be a masterstroke if the Maroons are chasing to close out the series opener.
“It’s a luxury, to carry an outside back on the bench is a luxury,” he said.
“He might only get the last 10 minutes if we are chasing points, but Selwyn Cobbo coming on fresh when it’s all out attack, unbelievable.”