South Sydney flyer Alex Johnston admits he has to toughen up mentally before he’s handed a State of Origin debut.

Johnston was overlooked by Blues coach Laurie Daley for the opening two games of this year’s series despite making his first Test appearance earlier in the year.

It is considered a question of when not if the 20-year-old will be selected for his state.

Daley is unlikely to be ringing the changes after winning Origin II last Wednesday to square the series.

And while it looks like Johnston will have to wait another year, he said he was going to use that time to steel himself and get his game up to Origin standard.