McGregor backs Dugan for NSW spot

St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor believes Josh Dugan’s form is tailor-made for him to be picked at centre by NSW coach Laurie Daley.

Dugan scored a hat-trick of tries against Cronulla on Saturday to put his hand up for selection for State of Origin game two on June 18, which would see the Blues seal a first series win in nine years if they beat Queensland.

The former Canberra man has played three games at fullback for the Blues but lost his place to Jarryd Hayne.

However, with Josh Morris missing the game due to injury Dugan is competing with Eels star Will Hopoate and Newcastle’s Beau Scott, who played in the back-row in game one, for the right centre spot.

Former Blues centre McGregor has been part of Daley’s backroom team for the past two years and made the decision to switch Dugan to the No.3 jersey after taking over from Steve Price and is confident he can do a job for NSW.

“Duges is a footballer and he likes challenges,” McGregor said.

“From making five tackles in a game to making 25 two games in a row and being effective at it is hard to do.

“I am an ex-centre, I know how much energy it uses and he just seemed to find something and scored a couple of tries as well.”

The treble was Dugan’s second in the NRL having scored three in a big win for the Raiders over Newcastle in 2011, and McGregor said his aggressive running game makes him a natural centre.

“He’s always going to beat people because that’s what he does,” he said.

“I wasn’t unhappy with how he played against Souths, but he maybe needs to learn the trade a bit more.

“He’ll be better for this run. He’s going to grow and he wants to play there. If a player wants to play in a position he’s going to play well.

“He’s more than a good player. He’s one of the best in the game.

“He didn’t do himself any harm tonight, if you look at right centres in the game that are NSW-born … but that’s up to Laurie.”

Asked if he’ll tell Daley if he can play centre McGregor said simply: “I always tell the truth.”

Dugan said he hasn’t spoken to Daley but would desperately love to be involved in game two at ANZ Stadium.

“It would mean the world. It’s something you strive for as a player to be the best at your game and to get picked in the side.

“You want to be on that big stage and play in that rep game.

“I haven’t [spoken to Laurie], but I haven’t hurt my chances.”

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