NSW State of Origin legend Danny Buderus believes Robbie Farah will hold onto the Blues No.9 jumper because no one has stepped up to rip it off him.
Farah is under pressure to keep the NSW hooker role after spending the majority of the season riding shotgun to Damien Cook at South Sydney.
Penrith veteran Peter Wallace, Gold Coast rake Nathan Peats and St George Illawarra’s Cameron McInnes have all been mentioned as contenders to take over for the opening Origin clash in Brisbane on May 31.
However former state skipper Buderus says no one has really risen so far this year and he expects Farah to be named when Blues coach Laurie Daley announces his team on Monday.
“I don’t think it’s open at all. I think there’s no one challenging to put their hand up for the nine spot,” Buderus told AAP.
“Peats is someone that could be in that position, but he hasn’t played much footy this year.
“I’ve come out said he’d be an ideal replacement if Laurie wants to go that way.
“But you can understand why Laurie probably won’t, and stick with someone that’s experienced for him. Although you never know unless you give someone a go I guess.”
In his first season at the Rabbitohs since his acrimonious exit from Wests Tigers, Farah spent the opening four weeks as the first-choice hooker before being asked to come off the bench.
It was there that his minutes plummeted, however the Rabbitohs snapped a run of four losses in fives games when Farah returned to the run-on side with a win over the Tigers last week.
For the first time since round one, the 33-year-old played all 80 minutes.
Buderus, who holds the Blues record for most consecutive Origin appearances with 21, held no concerns over Farah’s ability to last the entire match against Queensland.
“He’s done it before,” Buderus said.
“It’s amazing – once you get to that level like Robbie’s been through, the body doesn’t forget.
“He knows how to get himself up for a game and I’m sure that part of it will be fine.”
BLUES HOOKER CONTENDERS IN 2017 SEASON
Farah (10 games) – four wins, 48min avg, seven line break assists, six try assists, four tackle busts, eight errors, 23 avg tackles (one missed).
McInnes (10 games) – six wins, 80min avg, four line break assists, five try assists, three errors, 11 tackle busts, 41 avg tackles (.05 missed).
Peats ( four games) – three wins, 77min avg, three line break assists, four try assists, one tackle bust, two errors, 36 avg tackles (2.8 missed).
Wallace (10 games) – three wins, 79min avg, one line break assist, one try assist, 10 tackle busts, eight errors, 37 avg tackles (2.7 missed)
