Maroons coach Billy Slater says “age is just a number” when it comes to discussing young stars at the selection table.
Just a week before Slater will have to submit his squad before the first game on June 8, and he admits rising stars Selwin Kobo and Jeremiah Nanai are extending their hand to become Bolters.
Cobbo, who is just 19 years old, recently called on former Queensland coach Paul Watin to select his origin after a hat-trick performance against Manley.
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Cobbo has just 18 NRL games to his name, he has been the best young star of the competition in recent weeks, making seven attempts from the last three games in Brisbane, all of which he has won.
Meanwhile, the 19-year-old back-rower, Nanai, has been a tri-scoring machine for the Cowboys, scoring nine goals in 11 appearances this year.
“With age comes youth and excitement, and you can see it with the Cowboys right now,” Slater told the Wide World of Sports. Billy’s breakdown.
“One thing they don’t have is experience. But if you don’t get the chance, you won’t get the experience.”
Slater said the highlight moments when both young stars create excitement are more valuable than anything else in talent selection.
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“One of the things I’m seeing is consistent action on the field,” Slater added.
“It’s not the highlights that Selwyn Kobo and Jeremiah Nanai are making, it’s the effort, the defensive move, getting the ball out of trouble.
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“The team does a lot of what they see, but not necessarily what we focus on on TV.
“They are doing it, which is really good.
“Age is just a number to me if they do those things.”
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