Rugby league heavyweight Phil Gould has aimed at Queensland coach Billy Slater’s decision to axe veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans for Origin II, calling it a major gamble that could backfire on the Maroons.
Cherry-Evans, who has 26 Origin caps to his name, was sensationally dropped in favour of 24-year-old Tom Dearden for the must-win clash in Perth.
Slater's call has dominated headlines all week, and it’s left Gould scratching his head.
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“A rookie behind a beaten pack?”
“I wouldn’t have dropped Daly Cherry-Evans,” Gould said on Channel Nine. “I respect his right to do that, he’s the coach, he has to make the big decisions, and that’s why he is going to be a great coach as time goes on. People will realise he is a great coach and has a great knowledge of the game, because it’s a big call.
“I’m just wondering what Tom Dearden can provide that Daly Cherry-Evans couldn’t.
“He doesn’t play the Cherry-Evans role for his club side, now he has to walk into Origin with Queensland 1-0 down in the series against a very good NSW side.”
Gould added that the real issue in Game I was Queensland’s pack being overpowered, not Cherry-Evans’ performance.
“I don’t think any halfback, let alone a rookie, is going to function behind a forward pack that was beaten as badly as them,” he said. “If NSW dominate in the forwards again and Dearden can’t get into the game, how does that affect his development going forward?”
Despite the doubts, both Slater and new skipper Cameron Munster have thrown their full support behind Dearden.
“We just feel Tom is the right person for the No.7 jersey right now,” said Slater. Munster added: “He can definitely lead this team around, and I’m really excited to see where we can go.”