Origin hopw ... South Sydney halfback Chris Sandow at Redfern Oval in Sydney. Photograph: Sam Ruttyn Source: The Sunday Telegraph

Queensland legend Allan Langer has tipped Sandow to run amok behind a monster Souths pack this year, and the 21-year-old has always been highly regarded among the Maroons hierarchy.

In 1987, Alfie Langer was plucked out of the Ipswich Jets to start one of the great Origin careers and there are plenty of influential people who see a similar X-factor in the Rabbitohs half labelled "the Aboriginal Alfie".

As Lockyer weighs up his future, the most likely plan is pairing Scott Prince with Johnathan Thurston in the halves, which worked so successfully in the final two games of the 2008 series and for the Indigenous All Stars team.

Melbourne's Cooper Cronk, who will miss the start of the season due to a groin injury, is another waiting in the wings.

Cowboys coach Neil Henry, an assistant to Queensland coach Mal Meninga during the past four series victories, and former Origin star Mark Coyne insist it is not a two-horse race.

"There are a couple of options. Maybe Chris Sandow could come in there," Henry said. "He's been up in the Emerging Origin Squad. I'd say it would be out of those [Prince, Cronk and Sandow]."

Despite playing halfback for the Cowboys and Titans respectively, Thurston and Prince balance their roles well at representative level.

When teamed in the halves, Thurston has slotted back to five-eighth to accommodate Prince as first receiver.

Coyne said Prince would be the logical replacement but added that Sandow would be in the queue.

"Prince filled in a couple of years ago and did a great job," Coyne said. "Cooper Cronk has played really well the last couple of years and he is someone to look at. Outside those two, throw in Chris Sandow, but he's a halfback and you would have to move JT out to five-eighth."

The halves equation is a luxury for Queensland selectors. Both Cronk and Prince have played for Australia and the Storm halfback was 18th man for the Maroons in game three last year.

Cameron Smith can play at pivot but has admitted he feels uncomfortable in the role. Greg Inglis, an occasional five-eighth for Melbourne, would be another option. He boasts a strong running and kicking game, using both to perfection when he won the Clive Churchill Medal wearing No. 6 for the Storm in 2007.

But Henry would prefer to see Inglis used at centre. "With his wide running ability you'd be negating some of his strengths if you move him in too tight," the Cowboys coach said. "In Origin, the defence is fast-moving and they jump a bit early so there's not a lot of room.

"I think it would stifle him there. Prince and Thurston worked pretty well together in that All Stars game."