Melbourne Storm's halfback jersey is Jahrome Hughes's to lose, according to coach Craig Bellamy.
Hughes started the NRL season as back-up for fullback Billy Slater and covered for him during State of Origin but is now the Storm's first-choice No.7, holding out Ryley Jacks and Brodie Croft.
Making his third start at halfback in Saturday night's NRL game against Canberrra at AAMI Park, Hughes can lock down the role with another impressive performance.
"It's probably his to lose," Bellamy said on Friday.
"It was a tough decision as Ryley's played a lot of really solid footy for us and Brodie came back in and played two really solid games during Origin.
"I thought Jahrome made a pretty good hand of it last week, there's a couple of things he will need to improve on, but I'm sure as he gets more game time he will do that."
With Cooper Cronk playing for the Sydney Roosters, Hughes has been taken under the wing of Slater and skipper Cameron Smith to help him with his game management in the role.
Bellamy said the 23-year-old was a quick learner.
"He's a real smart footy player and he picks things up really quickly and he's got a lot of natural ability speed-wise and game sense-wise and we think he could probably handle anywhere in the backs," he said.
"There's some things that he's learnt about halfback play at the moment and he's got plenty of good help off our one and nine and he's got two Origin players - one inside and one outside him - so he's getting plenty of help from Felise (Kaufusi) and Will (Chambers as well."
