Kalyn Ponga has the potential to be a Queensland and Kangaroos five-eighth, according to Newcastle teammate Mitchell Pearce.
Ponga will make an anticipated shift to pivot when the Knights visit Penrith on Saturday as coach Nathan Brown attempts to reduce the workload on his prodigious young fullback.
The Maroons representative has battled hamstring and ankle injuries in recent weeks, however Pearce admits Ponga can make the switch long-term.
"There's no doubt the role he plays is he's a ball player," Pearce told reporters on Friday.
"There are some type of fullbacks in the game that are runners and support players that could never play six. He's a player that could play six and he's playing that (on Saturday).
"He could play at all levels at six, I reckon."
A move into the frontline would likely mean Ponga defends on the right flank, where he will come up against the Panthers' dangerous' left edge of Viliame Kikau and Waqa Blake.
Penrith caretaker coach Cameron Ciraldo denied Ponga would be a target for his attack, saying the 20-year-old had already proven his defensive ability at a higher level.
"Kalyn showed in Origin ... he's no spot player. He's a good defender and we've just got to make sure we're attacking well before we worry about targeting him," Ciraldo said.
The Panthers will have their own inexperienced five-eighth in Tyrone May, who replaces the injured James Maloney for an important clash in their chase for a top four finish.
Ciraldo is confident May will fit in easily alongside star halfback Nathan Cleary, having come through the junior ranks together.
"They just both know each other's game really well so there'll be no panic between them. They're really calm with how they want to play," Ciraldo said.
"He's a five-eighth that can play lock, back row and he's played in the middle for us lately. So he's a tough player that can defend well and he'll do that tomorrow."
