NSW State of Origin hopeful Adam Reynolds has embraced the prospect of bringing down teammate and Queensland star Greg Inglis should he be picked on Monday for the Blues.
The South Sydney halfback made a last-ditch attempt to play his way into an Origin debut with a signature kicking performance in Thursday night's 34-24 win over St George Illawarra.
The 25-year-old set up three tries off kicks, and also slotted five goals from seven attempts.
Dragons coach and former Blues assistant Paul McGregor has labelled Reynolds' kicking game as arguably the best in the competition, however questions remain around his defence.
With in-form Cronulla playmaker James Maloney considered a certainty to play in the halves, Reynolds is one of a number of candidates to fill the No.7 jumper and likely face off against Inglis on the flanks.
Reynolds said he held no fears taking down his new scrumbase partner at the club.
"It'd be good mate - it'd be a good challenge. It's one that you dream of," Reynolds said.
"You always want to play in the pinnacle of the game and you want to put yourself in that arena, to play against all the best players.
"If the opportunity does come, I'd be looking forward to it and I'd be very excited."
After helping the foundation club to a breakthrough premiership in 2014, Reynolds was on his way to a representative call-up when he made a strong start to the 2015 season.
However, injuries destroyed those early hopes, and again looked set to rob him of a chance this season when he suffered twin cheekbone injuries over the opening seven rounds.
But Reynolds, after kicking a game-winning sideline conversion last week against Parramatta, hopes he's put all his injuries behind him as he strives to find the consistency to help the Rabbitohs move up the NRL ladder.
This year, he believes he is ready to take the next step.
"I thought I was ready last year. Obviously, there's injuries and whether the selectors wanted to pick me or not, (but) as a player, you're always confident in yourself," he said.
"But all things are out of my hands at the moment. If the opportunity did come, I think I'd be ready."
Blues coach Laurie Daley names his team on Monday for the June 1 series opener.
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