QLD Name Origin II Side

North Queensland five-eighth Michael Morgan will celebrate an epic comeback win over Parramatta with another Maroons jumper.

The representative star scored a try in a Cowboys’ thrilling 36-30 victory that included the equal third-biggest comeback in NRL history.

The win extends the club’s record winning streak to ten and provides Morgan with even more confidence as he aims to help Queensland reclaim the Origin shield next Wednesday.

Following Cooper Cronk’s surprise withdrawal from State of Origin II with a knee injury, Morgan let the cat out of the bag that his name would be read out when the team is announced on Tuesday afternoon in Melbourne.

“All I know is that I’ve been told that I’d go down (to Melbourne) but I haven’t been told anything about playing,” he said after the thrilling win over the Eels.

“I think it was more just so it wasn’t in the back of my mind.”

The 23-year-old made his Maroons debut in the series-opening win over NSW in Sydney three weeks ago and is expected to hold his utility spot when coach Mal Meninga names his team today.

Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans will fill in at halfback as he did in the first two games last year.

“Cherry-Evans has done it before,” Morgan said.

“He’s a very good player and has been for a while now. He got through this weekend very well so I’m pretty sure that’ll be the halfback.”

Morgan broke the line twice and busted three tackles in a typically dynamic performance against the Eels.

And while he was relieved that the team pulled off a miracle comeback, Morgan admitted they were fortunate to steal the game with their attack.

“It makes it a bit better because it turns into four points next week,” he said, in reference to the Cowboys enjoying the bye in round 14.

“But it’s just pleasing knowing that we were so far off our best, but our attack luckily won us the game.

“Our defence nearly lost it for us. It’s good we were able to put a few points on.”

1. Billy Slater – Melbourne Storm
2. Darius Boyd – Brisbane Broncos
3. Greg Inglis – South Sydney Rabbitohs
4. Justin Hodges – Brisbane Broncos
5. Will Chambers – Melbourne Storm
6. Johnathan Thurston – North Queensland Cowboys
7. Daly Cherry-Evans – Manly Sea Eagles
8. Matt Scott – North Queensland Cowboys
9. Cameron Smith (c) – Melbourne Storm
10. Nate Myles – Gold Coast Titans
11. Aidan Guerra – Sydney Roosters
12. Sam Thaiday – Brisbane Broncos
13. Corey Parker – Brisbane Broncos
14. Michael Morgan – North Queensland Cowboys
15. Josh McGuire – Brisbane Broncos
16. Matt Gillett – Brisbane Broncos
17. Jacob Lillyman – New Zealand Warriors
Reserves:
Josh Papalii – Canberra Raiders
Dane Gagai – Newcastle Knights
Korbin Sims – Newcastle Knights
Coach: Mal Meninga

Source: QRL