Greg Inglis is unsure if he’ll be named at fullback for Queensland in next month’s State of Origin decider in Brisbane, and says the Maroons coach Mal Meninga has a host of options available to him for the No.1 jersey.
The 25-year-old South Sydney superstar has been in outstanding form for his NRL club at fullback and is expected to switch from centre to fill in for the injured Billy Slater when Meninga names his side next Tuesday.
Slater is battling to recover from a damaged posterior cruciate ligament in his knee and almost certain to miss the chance to help Queensland to a seventh successive series victory.
Inglis is yet to hear from Meninga and said the Maroons supremo has a wealth of talent to choose from for the role should Slater miss out.
“I know Billy will be doing everything he can to be fit for this game,” Inglis said on Wednesday.
“The beauty is you can put me there, or you can put Darius Boyd, Benny Barba or Matty Bowen back there.
“I’ve had no phone calls yet from Mal, I’ll just wait until what they name the team and we’ll get into camp and worry about it then.”
“It doesn’t bother me where I play, I am just happy to wear that jersey.”
Canterbury star Barba said he’s desperate to get the chance to make his Origin debut after getting a taste of life in camp as 19th man for game two in Sydney.
“If I ever get the chance to wear that Maroons jumper, I’ll take it head on,” Barba said.
“It’s definitely a dream of mine to do that.”
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler praised the performances of the diminutive fullback, and although he stopped short of endorsing him for Origin, he said the 21-year-old was good enough to be in contention.
“Benny’s been playing really good, consistent footy this year – he’s worked really hard on his game,” Hasler said.
“It was great to see him involved in the Origin experience at game two.
“It’s great for him to see his name being put alongside the likes of Inglis and Darius Boyd, players that Benny obviously looks up to.
“It’s a good reward for Benny, to think that he’s being considered in that mix.”
Inglis is also a paid-up member of the Barba fan club and said he would like to see him in the Maroons side at some stage.
“Benny has been terrific and I’ve said before I would like go and to see him play,” he said.
Inglis also believes his Souths teammate Dave Taylor will keep his spot in the team despite speculation the giant back-rower would be axed following two quiet performances during the series.
Inglis tipped the criticism would fire up the 23-year-old.
“People were calling for Dave to be dropped after Origin and he backed up with a brilliant game for Souths on Saturday,” Inglis said.
“If someone has a crack at you in the paper I think anyone is going to turn around and have a point to prove.”