Warwick-born centre set to play more Origin footy
RUGBY LEAGUE: Warwick-born State of Origin centre Justin O'Neill is expected to be named in the Queensland team this afternoon for the First State of Origin game.
O'Neill was born in Warwick at a time his father Sean was merchandise manager at Dalgety's and the family lived at Tannymorel.
The Warwick-born centre was outstanding last season for the Maroons and according to News Corp Australia sources is set to retain his place.
Successive Queensland coaches down the years have stuck with players who have played well for the Maroons in the past despite their club form being down on their best which is the case with O'Neill this season.
O'Neill was on standby for the Maroons when he was at Melbourne Storm but came into his own as a state player after his move to the North Queensland Cowboys.
His parents are now at Hughenden in North Queensland, a town where O'Neill played for the Hughenden Hawks.
O'Neill has scored a try in each of his grand final wins, one with Melbourne in 2012, and the second in an epic North Queensland grand final win 17-16 against Brisbane in 2015.
He has played three State of Origin games and two Tests for Australia so far and is one of the players with a Warwick connection to play state and national footy and for the NRL who have pride of place on the Wall of Legends at the Warwick Cowboys Clubhouse.
O'Neill is expected to go into camp with fellow North Queensland Cowboys Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan when the Maroons team is assembled later today.
