NSW speedster Michael Jennings expects Queensland centre Justin Hodges to take his Test snub out on him during his State of Origin swansong.
The 32-year-old Hodges will bow out of the representative arena after this year's interstate series which begins in Sydney on Wednesday.
Hodges was denied a chance to have one final outing in the Australian jersey when he was overlooked for the Trans-Tasman Test against New Zealand earlier this month.
And Jennings, who will mark Hodges, expects the Brisbane captain to have a point to prove after being overlooked for Tim Sheens' Australian side.
"I think they're looking for a younger breed there for Australia," Jennings said in NSW team camp at Coffs Harbour on Thursday.
"I think he'd want to show what he's got in this Origin."
Hodges, who has 13 Origins and 21 Tests to his name, was overlooked for the Australian side in an effort by selectors to inject youth into the national team.
He has been plagued by hamstring problems in the latter stages of his career and is considering retirement at the end of the season.
While full of praise for Hodges' strength and ability out of dummy half, Jennings said he would look to get one-on-one with his opposite number as much as possible in Origin I at ANZ Stadium and use his acceleration to get into space.
"I'd back myself to go up against Hodgo, I wouldn't be here if I didn't," he said.
"I'd love to get that opportunity, a lot of one-on-one opportunities but that depends on whether I get enough ball."
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