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NSW centre Josh Morris admits he’ll have his hands full in his return to State of Origin next week, trying to control a rampaging Greg Inglis.
Morris says Inglis is in his best form in years, while his surprise centre partner Michael Jennings won’t have it any easier as he lines up against Justin Hodges.
Morris and Jennings could indeed have the toughest job in rugby league on Wednesday, and have a crucial role in trying to stop Queensland’s bid for a seventh straight series.
Inglis has been in scintillating form at fullback for South Sydney in the NRL this season and moves into the centres for Queensland to partner the in-form Hodges.
The Australian Test centre pairing pose a formidable task for Morris in his first Origin game in three years and Jennings, a shock Blues’ selection after being dropped to NSW Cup by Penrith last week.
“He always plays good around this time of the year,” Morris said of Inglis.
“Playing at fullback, we’ve probably seen in the last six weeks he’s probably played some of his best footy of the past couple of years.
“I’m going to try my damned hardest (to stop him) – that’s what I’ve been picked to do.
“They’re the form centres in the comp, so me and Michael have got our hands full.”
Morris will move across to play at right centre to confront Inglis directly for the first time and says he’s comfortable with the switch.
“I’ve got a job to do there and obviously we’ll speak about that more as the week goes on and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Morris said.
“And I’m sure Michael will be looking forward to the challenge of marking up on Hodgo. They’re the Australian centres, so it presents a fair challenge.”
With 12 Origin tries from 15 games, Inglis needs one more for the Queensland record and has made a habit of opening the series in style, three times scoring doubles in game one.
But Morris himself is in good touch, demanding a return to Origin for the first time since 2009 with his nine tries for Canterbury this season, including a brace of hat-tricks.
So Morris says it’s not going to be all one-way traffic on the edges of Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
“Me and Michael are quite confident in our own capabilities, so we’re looking forward to not only defending against them, but attacking as well,” he said.
He puts his return to NSW colours down to consistency for Canterbury this year and an increased work rate, crediting new coach Des Hasler with reigniting his confidence.
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