In-form Canterbury centre Josh Morris is backing brother Brett for the NSW No.1 jersey after his outstanding start in the position at St George Illawarra.
Brett moved to fullback in round three and has enjoyed immediate success, lifting his game while transforming the Dragons’ attack.
And with two of Blues coach Ricky Stuart’s favoured fullbacks, Canberra’s Josh Dugan and Manly’s Brett Stewart, sidelined through injury and the third, Parramatta ace Jarryd Hayne, being considered for a role in the halves, the door has opened for Brett to move in.
Stewart (ribs) and Dugan (shoulder) are hopeful of returning by round eight to prove themselves ahead of State of Origin one on May 23.
Which is why Josh, the elder twin by 10 minutes, expects a big game from his brother and Country teammate in Sunday’s City-Country clash.
“I think he would do a good job if picked (at fullback for NSW),” Josh told AAP.
“Obviously he’s a fair winger as well and Ricky would know that.
“But that’s obviously why he’s been picked at fullback (for Country), to see how he can respond to that challenge and prove his versatility.
“He’s been getting involved a lot more since he moved there at the Dragons.
“Being on the wing, he was pretty dangerous every time he got the ball, but it’s just that now he gets his hands on the ball when the defenders are tired in the middle of the field.
“It just creates a lot more opportunity for him. I think he’s been playing excellently.”
The clash in Mudgee on Sunday will be Brett’s first representative match in the No.1 jersey and he said the move had opened up his game to new possibilities.
“It means I’m not just confined to the wing,” he said.
“It’s been good, obviously it’s a new challenge and you’re always looking for challenges as a footballer.
“Obviously it’s a huge honour playing for Country and it’s something new playing the fullback position, so I’ve really got to take it in my stride and enjoy the week.”
Josh also revealed he would be comfortable moving to play right centre to allow both himself and Penrith’s livewire left centre Michael Jennings to play for NSW this year.
Jennings, sidelined with a pectoral injury, has been nominated by Stuart as the leading centre candidate – but Morris’ form over the first seven rounds, including scoring a hat-trick against the Dragons, has caught the attention of selectors.
His versatility increases the likelihood of the Kiama junior getting a chance to return to the Origin arena.
“When I was at the Dragons, I’d fill in for Gaz (Mark Gasnier) on the right and Coops (Matt Cooper) on the left,” he said.
“So I have had a chance to play on the right before and handled it ok.”
