Utility Luke Lewis says he has no intention of following Anthony Watmough into representative retirement despite being dumped from the NSW State of Origin side.
Turning 32 in two months, the die may already be cast for Lewis, who was left out of Origin I and has been given no indication he’ll be back for the second clash in Melbourne on June 17.
But that hasn’t deterred the Cronulla stalwart.
“I’d never really consider retiring from rep football,” Lewis said on Wednesday.
“I think if I’m playing good enough football and I get picked, I will definitely take it.
“But I can’t see the team changing too much – they only lost by one point.”
Watmough, who has not had a significant impact at new club Parramatta this year, confirmed on Tuesday that he was giving representative football away after failing to make the Blues side for Origin I.
Lewis felt the former Manly star still had plenty to give.
“I’ve had the pleasure of playing with Choc (Watmough) and I’m looking forward to watching his career boom over there at Parramatta,” Lewis said.
“I know he’s still finding his feet and I still think we’ve got the best to see of him.”
The Sharks side thrashed by St George Illawarra last week is set to be bolstered for their game against the Roosters at Remondis Stadium on Sunday by the return from injury of inspirational captain Paul Gallen and fellow forward workhorse Chris Heighington from suspension.
“It’s been really frustrating, I’ve missed three games and we had two byes as well, so I’ve been out for five weeks,” Heighington said.”
Other frustrations at the club have centred around 2012 Dally M winner Ben Barba.
Touted as the replacement for departing five-eighth Todd Carney, Barba hasn’t fired in that position or his old spot of fullback.
But Heighington offered his full support.
“It (Ben’s best form) will come,” he said.
“He’s a classy player, everyone has seen that a few years back.
“I’m sure that’s not far away. We’ve just got to try and get him some quality football and hopefully he can come up with some good results for us.”