Brett Morris feels a State of Origin recall would be unfair on his NSW teammates, despite his stunning return to the NRL.
But the long-time NSW representative has called for NSW coach Laurie Daley to blood James Tedesco in next month’s Origin III dead rubber.
Morris scored three tries in his first NRL game of the season in his return from a knee injury in Canterbury’s 40-14 win over Brisbane on Saturday to thrust himself into contention for the Origin match.
Two underwhelming efforts from Blake Ferguson has the Sydney Roosters star under pressure to hold his Blues wing spot for Origin III and Morris looms as a possible replacement.
Morris will have played just two NRL matches this season if he is chosen by coach Laurie Daley for the third game. He said he felt that wasn’t enough to warrant a spot in the NSW side.
“To be perfectly honest, I’m not even thinking about that, it was my first game in nine months,” Morris said.
“I don’t think you can sit nine months out then come into an arena like that. I’m certainly not looking at playing Origin at this stage. The guys that he’s got there, I think it would be unfair on them, I think they’ve done their jobs quite well.
“My main focus is on playing well for the Bulldogs and repaying them.”
Morris has been a mainstay of the Blues side for several seasons now and some pundits, including Brad Fittler, feel he has earned the right to be slotted straight back into the NSW line-up.
“I don’t see it that way,” Morris said.
“Every time I’ve gone out for my state, I’ve done the best I could and those guys that are in those jerseys at the moment are doing that.
“But they’ve played a whole season and I’ve played one game.”
With talk Daley might look to blood more rookies, Morris said he would like to see Wests Tigers star Tedesco given a crack.
“A guy like James Tedesco who’s been playing wonderful footy for the last couple of years, he’s one to mention, I think he’d really thrive in the Origin arena,” Morris said.
“I suppose game three, while it’s a dead rubber, you can give these guys an opportunity to come into a team, learn about the build up of Origin and go out there and try their hardest.”
LachyP
Guest
Mitchell Moses is at best 2 GOOD seasons sway from bring an origin player. He gave away 2-3 tries against the storm on the weekend and doesnt have anywhere near the attacking flair to make up for that. Reynolds kicking game also needs to be there.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'd be happy with that.
Tru Blu
Guest
I'd put money on this team 1. Tedesco 2. Morris/Trobjevic 3. Bird 4. Leilua 5. Dugan/Ferguson 6. Moylan 7. Maloney 8. Fifita 9. Peats 10. Woods/Campbell-Gillard 11. Frizell 12. Jackson/Cartwright 13. Merrin/Jackson 14. Peachey 15. Vaughn 16. Klemmer 17. Cartwright 18. Jnr Paulo
Bluey
Guest
Good point. Totally agree, then Daley can have his "strong ball carries and returns".
Bluey
Guest
I'd gave to agree with your comment on Mansour which goes against most of the comments on this forum. But I haven't been impressed with his two performances. The defining moment for me was his half-arsed chase when Jennings threw the intercept pass to Gagai. You compare that to Frizzell' effort that is now deemed to be an "origin moment".
steveng
Roar Rookie
Moylan is not good enough to play SOO, he's not big enough hard enough to make the impact that Tedesco can and will do! As I said before, Moylan will be the controversial pick for NSW in years to come just like Farah was and he will be continually selected (over better players0 just like Farah was.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Tedasco at fullback, Moylan to the 5/8th, Maloney to half backa and B.Moz replaces Ferguson.
Gappy
Guest
I would love to see this team. Moylan Morris Morris J Bird Mansour BBQ (Austin or Reynolds after a few more years) Reynolds Woods Peats Fifita Jackson Cordner Graham Klemmer Tedesco Frizell Cartwright If a half or hooker goes down move Moylan up Teddy to fullback. Tedesco is big enough to play in the back row, Or could play wing or centre. The bench is big quick mobile and young. As for the 5/8 BBQ until Austin leads a team in the final series or Josh Reynolds grows up. This team could play for the next 4 plus years
Pomski
Guest
I say they would considering that Leilua doesnt know how to communicate with the man beside him to read defences and that Dugan is not a proven Centre. And what is Matt Moylan gonna do when he comes off the bench, play lock. The dude is pretty light, he's gonna get ragdolled by the pumped up Qld forwards. Other than that the rest look pretty dangerous.
Heich
Guest
I would rather suggest put; 1. Tedesco 2. Brett Morris 3. Jack Bird 4. Leilua 5. Dugan 6. Mitchel Moses 7. James Maloney 8. 9. Nathan peats I bet if its was Jason Taylor, Andrew Johns, Phil Gould these players will be picked. They are smarter than Laurey Daley
naiko
Guest
How bout Dugan on the wing, that way he can hog the ball all he wants.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I don't mind that, though I would still rather have Jennings in there instead of Dugan.
Billy Stevenson
Roar Guru
Yep, agreed. Interesting that B. Moz has come out and said this - when there's a groundswell among players for the fullback to be changed, you have to wonder what more it will take for Loz to change his mind.
armchair expert
Guest
1.Tedesco 2.B Morris 3.Dugan 4.Leilua 5.Mansour 6.J Bird 7.Maloney 14.Moylan Tell me Qld would like to play that backline as compared to the first 2 games.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
I know, but that's what's weird with Daley - barring injury to Moylan next week, Tedesco won't get a look in. It's either Dugan or Moylan in front of Tedesco (no matter how good he's getting over the last 2 years). So stubborn Daley's sticking with Moylan for 2016. Sorry no Tedesco!
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
HA HA :)
Ken
Guest
Check the date mate, that was before Game 1 last year.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/wests-tigers/wests-tigers-fullback-james-tedesco-wont-let-origin-snub-affect-his-club-form-20150402-1mdpsv.html "While Tedesco has started the season superbly, Daley said Manly's Brett Stewart, Penrith's Matt Moylan and St George Illawarra's Josh Dugan were in a three-way shoot-out to fill the fullback spot..." Daley has already made up his stubborn mind for this year, NSW fans and media stop flogging this 'selection' dead horse.
Ken
Guest
I don't really see a question of him or Tedesco. I don't think any of the NSW back 5 are secure and Morris is clearly a cut above all of them, he should be the first player picked in the 3/4 line - on the wing. Saying that, it must be noted that he is either a little unfit or perhaps will never have the pace he once had. There was a chase on Sat, I think it was Roberts - probably the fastest going around, but I've never seen anyone run away from Morris with such ease. There was a time when that was him. Still a champion though, does great work coming off his line, so often in the right place to score the try, and strong defensively. Get him in there. Moylan, Tedesco or Dugan? I don't think Moylan, as likely the 3rd choice coming into the series, has done enough to hold his spot. He wasn't awful but he had minimal impact, and was occasionally bullied by the Qlders. All the smart money says Tedesco, and hard to argue too hard. Not sure if I'm just a biased Dragon fan but I can't shake the idea that Dugan would have had a bigger impact though, with such tight matches a try saved or an extra tackle break somewhere might have turned the tide. Of course as a biased Dragon I'm also happy for him to not get injured playing SOO...
jamesb
Guest
As the little Mexican girl in the taco ad says, "why don't we have both?" Tedasco at fullback, Moylan to the bench. And B.Moz replaces Ferguson.