Phil Gould has questioned whether Ben Hunt will remain in the Queensland lineup for this year's State of Origin series, with coach Billy Slater facing a huge selection dilemma.
With less than two months until the series kicks off, all the attention has turned towards the fullback debate for the Maroons, with incumbent star Reece Walsh and last year's Dally M Medal winner Kalyn Ponga both fighting for the No.1 jumper.
There have been suggestions that both men could fit into Slater's final 17 for the opening game, which would likely see Hunt or Harry Grant miss out.
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Speaking on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus, the former NSW coach questioned whether the veteran Dragons skipper will be retained for his state.
"Harry Grant's nearly at the position where he's an 80-minute player and I think if Ben Hunt is on the bench, he is only covering one position," Gould said.
"Do they keep persevering with Ben Hunt at the representative level? Harry Grant has now had a few years there and obviously Ben Hunt's experience has been wonderful for them – but they don't play him in a halves role, they only play him in a hooker role.
"Ben Hunt has been a great servant of the game and they probably will pick him, but that means Reece Walsh or Kalyn Ponga or someone is gonna miss out."
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Hunt has represented the Maroons on 17 occasions across a variety of positions, but at 34 years of age it's unlikely he has many Origin games left in him.
Ponga, Walsh and Grant on the other hand all have youth on their side, which could put Queensland's famous pick and stick mentality under the microscope.
After taking out the NRL's top gong last year, Gould believes the Knights fullback should be back in the representative arena in 2024.
"In the form that he's in, you couldn't ever imagine picking 17 players for Queensland and Kalyn Ponga not being there somewhere," he said.
"The quality of your team is often shown by the quality of the player who misses out."
The series will kick off on Wednesday, June 5 at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
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