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Former Origin player Gene Miles is in Rockhampton to promote the Indigenous Employment Expo.

Allan Reinikka AR--

CENTRAL Queenslanders will be the front line in future Queensland State of Origin battles.

Last year, Queensland Origin selector Gene Miles talked up the future of Matthew Scott, Nick Kenny and Dave Taylor in the maroon jersey, and yesterday he reaffirmed that prediction.

In Rockhampton yesterday to promote an Indigenous Employment Expo in May, Miles spoke of the chances of Scott (Ilfracombe), Kenny (Rockhampton) and Taylor (Blackwater) making an impact at representative level.

“Absolutely, Matty Scott played in that last game last year, and although it was not a winning game, we are looking at Matty to fill the role that Petero (Civoniceva) and Pricey (Steve Price) have been doing for us for years and doing a great job,” he said.

“But the day will come when those guys will play their last match for Queensland, which looks like this year and obviously Matty will have to step up there.

“Nick Kenny was on the verge of going on the Four Nations tour at the end of last year so his form was great, then we obviously did not miss that side of things either.

“And big Dave (Dave Taylor) ... well, the ball is in Dave’s court.

“There is a position there for him if he wants to put his hand up and cause the havoc he caused the end of the season last year, leading up the to State of Origin Series. He has got six or seven games to show Queensland selectors what he can produce.

“There is no doubt he eventually will play for Queensland, but whether it is this year, whether he has got that commitment he wants to play for Queensland, he has got to go out and produce that on the footy field week in week in.

Miles said Lote Tuquiri’s return to rugby league, and the absence of Broncos centre Justin Hodges, added another selection option.

“Yeah that didn’t go unnoticed either,” he said.

“But we’re in a very fortunate situation here at the moment with Queensland.

“And we should really thank our blessings. We’ve also got Izzy Folau and also Willie Tonga, who filled in for that position last year and did a fine job.

When asked about Rockhampton product Rhys Wesser, Miles said the Rabbitohs’ fullback “has got to establish himself again”.

2010 Origin series

- Game one: May 26, ANZ Stadium, Sydney

- Game two: June 16, Suncorp Stadium Brisbane

- Game three: July 7, ANZ Stadium, Sydney