Newcastle mentor Wayne Bennett has implored NSW selectors not to pick Knights star Jarrod Mullen at halfback for State of Origin but to look at him as a five-eighth.
Mullen, who has played most of his career at halfback, played a starring role for the Knights in their ugly 14-6 win over Parramatta on Sunday.
The No.6 will get his chance to stake a claim for Origin when he lines-up against NSW incumbent Jamie Soward at Kogarah on Friday night.
“He can’t be the halfback … that’s not his position,” Bennett said.
“He’s in that mix of other players like Soward and others who are real chances.”
While he came up with some big attacking plays, including a game changing 40-20 kick in the second half that led to a try, it was Mullen’s defence that pleased Bennett most against the Eels.
Parramatta prop Fuifui Moimoi relentlessly charged at Mullen for most of the game and the little playmaker stopped him time and again.
“It was great defence. We talked about it, that’s where he’s (Moimoi) been running and Fuifui kept doing it all day day,” Bennett said.
“Jarrod wanted the opportunity to tackle him and he was confident he could do that, so we made a decision to leave him there and he did a great job … he was outstanding actually.
“… Five-eighth is his position, he’s been there the last three weeks. He’s a crucial part of what we do here now … he brings a lot of options.”