Tate injury adds to Maroons intrigue

The first cracks in Queensland's greatest Origin dynasty have begun to appear with a
broken jaw to centre Brent Tate and question marks over player loyalty leaving
Maroons selectors with plenty to ponder.
For the first time during Queensland's four-year Origin dominance - which can
stretch to an incredible five straight series wins with victory in game two on
Wednesday week - there is much intrigue as to who selectors will turn to when they
announce their side on Tuesday.
Much of the angst has been caused by Israel Folau, whose two-try effort for Brisbane
on Sunday would have done little to appease Maroons officials seemingly hell bent on
snubbing the 21-year-old superstar following last week's announcement he would be
defecting to AFL in 2011.
Tate seemed assured of earning a recall until breaking his jaw in the opening
minutes of the Warriors' loss to St George Illawarra in Auckland on Sunday,
continuing a shocking run of injuries for the former Test centre following two knee
reconstructions in the last four years.
His misfortune has left dual international Lote Tuqiri and Broncos youngster Jharal
Yow Yeh vying for a berth, though the latter played down his chances.
"I think anyone would love a piece of Origin but I'm not worried about that at the
moment," Yow Yeh said.
"I'm only 20 years old and people like Izzy (Folau), he can handle that kind of
stuff but at the moment I'm just worried about playing good for the Broncos.
"I'd probably say it's a little bit early for me to play State of Origin yet, I
don't think I'd be ready for it but if it happens it happens."
Complicating matters is the fact Tuqiri appears to be still paying the price for his
seven-year stint in rugby union, with QRL managing director Ross Livermore using
loyalty as a selection tool last week when asked to compare the merits of Tuqiri and
Tate as Folau's possible replacement.
But with Billy Slater's Origin availability in the hands of the NRL match review
committee after his reckless elbow to the head of Jarryd Hayne on Friday night, both
Tuqiri and Yow Yeh could find themselves in the side with Darius Boyd moving to
fullback.
Tate's shocking run continued after he came off second best following an ugly head
clash with Dragons backrower Ben Creagh.
He is expected to be out for four-to-six weeks and will undergo surgery on Monday
where he will have a plate inserted in his cheek.