Returning prop Josh McGuire says it will be tough enough cementing his spot in Brisbane’s NRL forward pack without worrying about talk of him being a State of Origin bolter.
McGuire has played just two games this season.
He is well behind the Origin eight-ball with Queensland selectors set to name their 17-man squad for game one in Sydney on May 27.
Queensland have a front-row spot up for grabs following the retirement of record-breaking Origin great Petero Civoniceva.
On current form, North Queensland’s Matt Scott and Brisbane’s Ben Hannant would be strong favourites to start up front with skipper and Storm hooker Cameron Smith.
That would leave the likes of Canberra’s Dave Shillington and Gold Coast’s Dave Taylor and McGuire battling it out for a bench spot.
Taylor, though, looks on the outer after recently being stood down for two games by the Titans for behavioural issues believed to be alcohol and discipline related.
Scott, Shillington, Hannant and Taylor were the props in Queensland’s squad which won a record seventh straight Origin series last year, taking a thrilling decider by one point.
McGuire is just happy to be back playing with a Broncos side hunting an NRL hat-trick of wins against a faltering Wests Tigers at Campbelltown on the weekend.
“Whatever role Hook (coach Anthony Griffin) has for me I’m ready, I just want to play footy again,” said McGuire, who’s fully recovered from his early-season calf tear.
“It’s every footballer’s dream to play Origin and I’m no different.
“But firstly I have to play some good footy for the Broncos.
“If I come out and play like a busted, I’m not helping my chances and just putting myself further behind the eight-ball.
“My focus is playing good football for Brisbane and trying to establish myself in the side. The rest will look after itself.”
McGuire spent last season soaking up all he could from legendary prop Civoniceva.
He’s a far more mature and controlled player without sacrificing any of his aggression which first caught the eye of Maroons selectors two years ago.
Along with another powerful youngster Dave Hala, he is seen by Griffin as part of Brisbane’s long-term future.
The 23-year-old Aspley junior’s contract runs out in 2015 which means he’ll be in his prime as a front-rower and a target of cashed-up rival NRL clubs.
“I’m here until 2015,” he said.
“I love this club I’ve been a part of this place since I was 15.
“I think of the boys as family and my family is here.
“It would take a lot to leave this place but you can never rule anything out I guess.”
McGuire is the only change to Brisbane’s 17-man squad to play the Tigers.