Canterbury fullback Brett Morris has declared himself ready to be thrown into the State of Origin cauldron after making a successful comeback from a hamstring injury against St George Illawarra.
Morris’ name is certain to be read out when Laurie Daley announces his NSW side for Origin II in Sydney on Tuesday morning.
The Canterbury flyer looked strong in attack and defence in his side’s 29-16 win over his former side the Dragons at ANZ Stadium on Monday.
Morris, who reported no lingering doubts over the hamstring injury which has sidelined him since Good Friday, produced a try-saver on Eto Nabuli early in the match and threw the final pass in Tim Lafai’s second-half try.
“It’s been a while since I played rugby league,” Morris said.
“Obviously there were a few cobwebs that needed to get blown out but I felt alright.
“I got through my work and we got the win and that’s the most important part.”
He said he would have no hesitation in putting his hand up for Origin after just one game back from the nine-week lay off.
“I’ve done it before. I’ve come off an operation and played one game and went into Origin and handled it pretty well,” Morris said.
“It’s one of those games. Origin is Origin. You get pretty pumped up for it and you forget that you’re tired because you don’t have time to be tired.
“It’s one of those games that I love playing and if I get the chance to play again I’ll be over the moon.”
The 28-year-old will be named on the wing, most likely at the expense of the Sydney Roosters’ Daniel Tupou.
Paul Gallen, who missed game one with a hip/glute injury, is another certainty to return to the Blues starting lineup after getting through his comeback game against the Roosters on Sunday.
Gallen’s inclusion is expected to force lock Josh Jackson to the bench, while Cronulla teammate Andrew Fifita will be left out.
Daley’s only real concern surrounds hooker Robbie Farah, who was reportedly cleared by the NSW medical team on Monday night but has not played since suffering a shoulder injury in Origin I last month.
The Wests Tigers’ No.9, who has undergone blood therapy to accelerate the healing process, will be expected to take part in the Blues’ first training session on Wednesday if named on Tuesday, with Daley likely to take Sharks rake Michael Ennis into camp as injury cover.
LIKELY NSW SIDE: Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Michael Jennings, William Hopoate, Mitchell Pearce, Trent Hodkinson, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, James Tamou, Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman, Paul Gallen (capt). Interchange: Josh Jackson, Trent Merrin, Boyd Cordner, David Klemmer.
