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Josh Dugan has stamped his cards for the NSW Origin team, it’s just not certain in which position.
Dugan all but locked down the coveted Blues No.1 position and saw off the threats of Matt Moylan and Brett Stewart with a starring performance for St George Illawarra on Monday night.
NSW coach Laurie Daley says Dugan will be a part of NSW’s Origin shield defence, but could not say where he planned to play him.
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Dugan made an emphatic statement that he should be the Blues fullback after impressing in the Dragons’ loss against South Sydney, running for a game-high 290 metres, nearly double that of his closest rival.
Daley kept his halves selection cards close to his chest, but did give away that Dugan had done enough to play in the opening match against Queensland in Sydney on May 27.
“Josh will be in the team, it’s just a matter of where he will play,” Daley said.
“He’s an experienced player who has always played well on the big occasion and he played really well on Monday night.”
The coach said where Dugan played in the NSW backline – fullback, centre or wing – could impact on the selection of in-form Penrith fullback Matt Moylan.
“Matt’s a really good player and he’s a guy who we’ve got a really high regard for and he’s playing some really good football,” Daley said.
“But it will come down to where we decide to play Josh Dugan.
“If ‘Duges’ is in another position, then that may well open it up for Matt Moylan.”
Dugan will have one final chance to stake his claim this Sunday, against his former club Canberra.
“I’d love to be there again and definitely be in the No.1 jersey,” Dugan said.
“But our job is this Sunday against Canberra and we don’t want to lose two going into a bye after winning six.”
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