Yow Yeh may be moving too fast: Griffin
Rookie Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin has cautioned against blooding exciting young winger Jharal Yow Yeh for representative football too soon.
While it's unlikely Yow Yeh will be named in Tim Sheens Test squad to play New Zealand at Skilled Park next month, he is firming sharply to snare a wing spot for Queensland in the opening State of Origin game against NSW at Suncorp Stadium on May 25.
A distant cousin of former Balmain flash Kevin Yow Yeh, the 21-year-old has sworn off booze and clubbing with his mates in his bid to play Origin.
And he's produced some sparkling form for Brisbane, catching the eye of Maroon selectors searching for a winger to replace AFL recruit Israel Folau.
Cowboy Brent Tate would have been the obvious choice but he is still six weeks away from a comeback following a knee reconstruction.
With Dragons fullback Darius Boyd (hamstring) likely to claim one wing, if fit, the battle is on for the other between Canberra's Daniel Vidot, the seasoned Cowboy Willie Tonga and youngster Yow Yeh who has blossomed after playing the past two NRL All-Star games.
Griffin also handled Yow yeh as coach of Brisbane's Under-20s side and knows him better than anyone.
"I'd be ecstatic if he got in either the Test or Origin sides." Griffin told AAP.
"I suppose you're ready for representative football when you get picked," added Griffin, who is set to lose Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday and possibly Justin Hodges to Test and Origin duties in the coming months.
"I don't want to be negative about it, but just at the moment, he's still a bit raw.
"It's only a personal view, but my gut feeling is it's a little bit early...but I'll be the happiest bloke in the world if he's picked.
"I guess the big thing in his favour if he is selected for either of those sides is that Locky and Hodgo would be there for him."
After seeing Sydney Roosters star Todd Carney's career implode, Yow Yeh recently revealed he'd made some lifestyle changes to improved his chances of making his Origin debut this year.
"I'm off the booze, definitely," he declared after Brisbane's recent win over the Tigers.
"You have to make sacrifices and I'm trying to do everything I can to play good football.
"I reckon I'm ready for State of Origin."
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