​Morgan the answer in Maroons jigsaw

With Cooper Cronk sustaining a tear of the meniscus in his right knee during the Storm's 20-0 shutout of Penrith on Saturday night, much of the focus has been on who will come into the Queensland side to replace the proven match-winner.

Currently there are three contenders to partner Johnathan Thurston in the halves for the crucial second Origin match: Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hunt and Michael Morgan.

While it has been much publicised in the past week the questionable way Cherry-Evans went about securing his future with the Manly club, with regards to his ability on the playing field, few can fault him.

In a well-beaten side last Friday, Cherry-Evans produced a tremendous try-assist, highlighting the reason why the Sea Eagles were so eager to retain the talented halfback.

With much of Queensland's squad likely to transition into retirement in the coming seasons, coach Mal Meninga has a serious dilemma on his hands: does he persevere with the tried and tested players who have served him so well over the past decade or should he look towards youth to secure the Maroons long-term success.

Much has been made of the role Jarryd Hayne played in securing the Blues the Origin shield in 2014, however a telling factor that went largely unnoticed amongst the hysteria of drought-breaking win was the absence of Cronk.

When the time comes for Cronk to retire, Cherry-Evans will more than likely be the long-term successor; however, on current form Queensland should look towards Michael Morgan as the answer to their halves dilemma.

Playing alongside Johnathan Thurston, Morgan has been an integral player in the Cowboys 10-match winning-streak. In attack and defence, Morgan and Thurston have toyed with oppositions at times, whilst also displaying the necessary composure to ground out narrow victories on multiple occasions.

For the Maroons to wrap up the Origin series in Melbourne, their best option would be to shift Thurston to halfback (a position he has played most of his career in), with Morgan as his offsider at five-eighth.

By building on the combination the pair have developed at the Cowboys, Queensland would pose a much greater threat in attack than the relatively untried combination of Thurston and Cherry-Evans, who's only match together was against Fiji in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Regardless of who coach Mal Meninga selects to replace Cooper Cronk at halfback, the Maroons will enter the Melbourne Cricket Ground clash as favourites; but with Blues skipper Paul Gallen likely to return, Queensland will need to ensure their selection is on the money if they are to return to Suncorp Stadium with the series wrapped up.