Mobile man mountain Sonny Bill Williams looms as one of the final hurdles North Queensland back-rower Tariq Sims must clear to earn a long-awaited NSW State of Origin nod.

Cowboys coach Neil Henry admitted finding a Blues back-row vacancy would be tough for Sims this season.

But Henry believed a good showing against Williams in Saturday night’s NRL clash with the Sydney Roosters wouldn’t harm his chances.

“It’s a good clash out there,” Henry said.

“They are both big men and quite mobile – I am sure Tariq and Sonny Bill are looking forward to it.”

As will Laurie Daley.

The NSW coach is expected to run the rule over Sims as he looks to reverse the Blues’ Origin fortunes.

Sims has had his Origin hopes dashed by not one but two freak leg fractures in the past two seasons.

He broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg in 2011, yet still earned NRL Rookie of the Year honours.

Sims played just seven games last year before fracturing his leg in the same place.

Henry hoped his charge’s unlucky Origin run was over after impressing for the Cowboys since appearing in Daley’s Emerging Blues squad camp earlier this year.

“His latest performances would have made NSW selectors and Laurie Daley take notice,” Henry said.

“They’ve got some depth in their back-row.

“The front-row is probably a spot they haven’t really had players put their hand up for Origin.

“I think it might be hard to get in but he is building with his performances.

“We have a couple of games to go and I know Tariq would love nothing more than to be selected in the NSW squad.”

Henry also expected centre Brent Tate to be lost to the Queensland Origin side despite the Cowboys “spluttering” attack ensuring they have slumped to a 4-5 season start.

“One thing about the Queensland side, they are very loyal,” he said.

“He had a couple of years out of Origin with injuries (but) he came back in and it’s a credit to him that he played in that winning series last year.

“He hasn’t let anyone down in that arena at all. (Maroons coach) Mal (Meninga) will certainly be thinking about him.”

But Henry admitted their attack would need to “improve 100 per cent” if they were to down the high-flying Roosters (2nd; 7-2) in Townsville this weekend.

Despite a last-round 28-10 loss to South Sydney, Henry made just one change for the Roosters clash, naming Jason Taumalolo on an extended bench.

Ray Thompson remains at halfback for Michael Morgan (shoulder).