He has been hailed as the future of the Maroons but Daly Cherry-Evans is facing a battle to even make the Queensland bench if Michael Morgan steps up to the plate in Wednesday's series opener.
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The Manly halfback was selected as Queensland's utility player when the team was read out last Tuesday before quickly being ruled out as he struggled to overcome an elbow injury.
In his place came Morgan, the Cowboys five-eighth who managed to found blistering form at exactly the right time. He was parachuted into camp on the Gold Coast and despite suggestions Mal Meninga could plump for an all-forward bench, stands to make his debut at ANZ Stadium.
It's not bit-part cameo, either. Cherry-Evans has been given no guarantees he will be an automatic inclusion for game two, while Morgan has the opportunity to cap off his rapid rise by securing his place for the MCG and beyond.
There is sound logic behind any thoughts to retain Morgan at the expense of Cherry-Evans, who could yet have to wait until one part of the Cooper Cronk-Johnathan Thurston axis ride off into the sunset before he becomes a permanent fixture.
Morgan has 10kg-plus on Cherry-Evans and could be called on to play in the middle at some stage of proceedings, just as Cherry-Evans did with aplomb when he made his Maroons debut in 2013.
Queensland players have been deeply impressed by Morgan's contributions at training, with his speed and strength catching the eye of anyone who has watched him immerse himself in Mal Meninga's camp at Sanctuary Cove.
"Extremely fast," said Maroons winger Will Chambers. "He's very good. He's fitting in well and enjoying it. He's got JT (Thurston) and Matt Scott to help him out. He knows his role and his job next Wednesday. He'll come on and be very handy."
Cherry-Evans remained in camp for several days after he was ruled out but has returned to Manly. It's hardly like he's on the outer with Maroons powerbrokers, rather that Morgan has been presenting an increasingly compelling case and could further that should he fire in Sydney.
Queensland prop Nate Myles earned extra credit for the front-rowers club by saying he'd rather an extra forward in reserve but understands why Meninga would want to have Morgan up his sleeve.
"This is where back-rowers who can play centre are really handy. If I was a coach, I'd like to see Morgan but if I was a player, I'd like to see another forward, because you want to see guys come through the middle fresh," Myles said.
"Morgan can play lock. He's bloody quick. He can take on the line and has some show and go. He has about 25kg on Daly."
Queensland great Darren Lockyer believes the benches will play a crucial role in the outcome of game one, particularly Meninga's use of Morgan and back-rower Matt Gillett.
Morgan may not even see action in the opening half but there is a growing belief north of the border that he could yet be a trump card for the Maroons as they try to find a way through, or around, the beefed-up NSW pack.
