Queensland State of Origin bolter Ben Barba is nearing the stratospheric form that won him the Dally M medal in 2012, according to new Maroons coach Kevin Walters.

Speaking at Tuesday’s Origin launch in Sydney, Walters named the Cronulla No.1 among a number of options to replace injured fullback Billy Slater, along with Brisbane custodian Darius Boyd.

However Walters admitted Barba would have to elevate his game even higher for him to consider shifting leading contender Greg Inglis to the centres.