The Anzac Day clash was Friend's first in a month due to an ongoing shoulder concern, but the 29-year-old played himself into the reckoning for the Maroons No.9 jersey with a stellar return from injury.Coach Trent Robinson revealed after full-time that Friend had hobbled through most of the match with a minor ankle injury.Queensland's obvious dummy-half options boil down to incumbent rake Andrew McCullough and Test utility Ben Hunt.But McCullough's performances at the struggling Broncos have come under the microscope of late while Hunt also had an afternoon to forget at the SCG.The Dragons half registered three errors before a shoulder cork forced him from the field with the match in the balance though the club was confident after the game that Hunt's injury was not serious.At club level the Roosters have rising star Victor Radley to fall back on as a No.9 option, giving him a regular hooking role and chance to further his claims as the Blues bench utility.
The Noosa Pirates junior joined the Roosters on a scholarship when he was 15 and, in 2008, progressed from SG Ball through to Toyota Cup to the NRL in just four months. It is a lifelong dream," Friend said. "He's probably a little bit more bull out of the gate in terms of his his energy and physical pressure with defence. "The number nine is the most influential position in the team and I think he has been one of the most influential players at the Wests Tigers in that number nine jersey, and [as] such a rookie player, it's fantastic," Thaiday said.Queensland legend Wally Lewis has been blown away by the way Grant has asserted himself on the field at the age of 22 and at a new club, and said that is what makes his Origin prospects so good. "My belief in Jake is unbelievable and I love what he does. "Friendy has been knocking on the door for a while now ... he's a passionate guy and passionate Queenslander. Seemingly in a tussle for Maroons No.9 jersey with St George Illawarra's Ben Hunt, Friend was told on Friday morning he'd suffered a serious injury in the win over the Dragons. That makes Roosters hooker Friend the next best experienced option, however he has been fighting injuries on and off this year.As Thaiday pointed out, hookers often dictate the success of a team, and the former Bronco puts the Tigers' improved season as a sign of Grant's impact. "That's what make Jake Friend the player he is," Cooper Cronk said of his teammate playing through the pain barrier. "He can do the 40-20 or try assist. Apr 26th, 2019 Jake Friend's shot at a maiden State of Origin jersey appears crushed after scans confirmed the Queensland hooking candidate had suffered a biceps rupture. "The positives are that the rest of the body is fresh, my arm is strong and I am doing everything.
We wanted to see how he was going to go playing regularly week in, week out rugby league in the NRL, because he's been sitting behind a fantastic player in Cameron Smith for many years now. "Josh to play on in 2021, Brett undecided on his futureSBW touching down on Thursday for NRL return but Wolfpack future clouded
Matt Ballin was selected ahead of Friend, mainly due to his age.
"Maroons coach Kevin Walters spoke highly of Friend when asked about his Origin credentials, "In the bigger games when the game is on the line he has been there and experienced how to win which is very important," Walters said. "He is a very good player and I think he's going to be around for a long, long time, this kid. "I believe that if you can dictate terms to your opponents particularly when running with the football, you know yourself that your time has come. "I enjoy the big games. I’ve loved every one of the grand finals and semi-finals that I have been involved with. Source: News Corp Australia Incumbent Ben Hunt is only just returning to form since switching to a bench role … "He wasn't the best (after the game) understandably," Roosters and NSW captain Boyd Cordner said. Young breakout NRL star Harry Grant has been touted as an obvious State of Origin choice for Queensland by former Maroons enforcer Sam Thaiday.
"He has all the attributes to play State of Origin. "In terms of Victor, I'm sure he will do his job," Cronk said. You can watch any game of Jake's career and he cleans up a lot of mess for our footy club. And if Grant continues his fine form, despite being so green after just one full season playing regularly, a Maroons jersey could be waiting for him at the end of season Origin series in November.