Dowling Tears Into The
Queenslanders

Former Queensland hardman Greg Dowling has launched his annual attack on the Maroons pack, claiming captain Gorden Tallis went missing in Origin I and Shane Webcke has been comprehensively outplayed by his NSW counterparts.

Dowling, a veteran of 11 matches for Queensland, went on the front foot ahead of the third State of Origin game at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

The former Maroons prop claimed only one Queenslander - Darren Lockyer - deserved a place in the test side after the opening two Origin games.

"The way things are looking they'll only get one test jumper - that's Lockyer," Dowling said.

Dowling said he expected Tallis to win a place in the test squad for the July 25 clash with New Zealand, but said the incumbent Australian skipper would get there on reputation alone.

He also played down Webcke's chances of selection, claiming national selectors could not overlook the claims of NSW trio Jason Ryles, Luke Bailey and Robbie Kearns.

"Tallis will get in, but he will be there purely on name," Dowling said.

"The biggest worry for a skipper is spending too much time on the sideline.

"When it was close (in Origin I) he needed to be out there, especially when we ran out of Indians.

"The NSW forwards have played all over them.

"The three props they have got - Ryles, Bailey and Kearns - they deserve the start.

"I would love to see Webcke in there, I've been a fan of his for years.

"But at the end of the day the other three have played well."

Dowling let fly with a similar attack on Queensland's forwards last year after they lost the opening Origin game.

The former test forward labelled Dane Carlaw soft and also criticised Webcke.

Queensland responded by winning the second Origin game at ANZ Stadium.

"They have to dig deep. They have everything to play for," Dowling said.

"You have test jumpers on the line."

"If they lose it and lose it convincingly you have to give credit to the other guys."