Our awesome foursome
THE Far North's reputation as an outstanding rugby league nursery was enhanced yesterday with four of Queensland's 17-man State of Origin team coming from the region.
Billy Slater, Justin Hodges, Dallas Johnson and Nate Myles won selection yesterday to play New South Wales in the opening Origin clash in Sydney next Wednesday.
Innisfail junior Slater’s outstanding form demanded his Queensland recall after he last played for the Maroons in 2005.
Slater, who made his Test debut last week, won the fullback spot ahead of Karmichael Hunt, with The Cairns Post rugby league columnist Greg Dowling saying Slater’s "weight of runs" through the NRL season had forced the selectors’ hands.
Southern suburbs junior Myles, Kangaroos’ Justin Hodges and Herberton’s Johnson retained spots they held in Queensland’s series-winning squads in 2006 and 2007.
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Proud moments: Far North stars Dallas Johnson and Nate Myles.
Origin bound: Justin Hodges.
Ambassador: Billy Slater.
New Jetstar flights between Cairns and Osaka
THE re-introduction of Jetstar's four weekly direct services to Osaka in Japan and a doubling of flights to Melbourne from April 1 next year are the first significant announcements today by the airline as the result of a new agreement with Cairns Airport.
Kate earns National Pride Medal
INSPIRING young leader and cancer survivor Kate Smith could hardly believe she won a national Pride of Australia medal last night.
Escapee back in custody
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Woman watched boyfriend bash, strip tourist
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