Talk of Latrell Mitchell becoming the youngest State of Origin player in six years is premature, according to Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
The NSW teenager has scored five tries in the Roosters' unbeaten opening NRL month, making a home for himself at left centre.
Veteran fullback Michael Gordon declared he could be "one of the most damaging centres for the next 10 years" after the 19-year-old scored a try and created another in the Roosters' 20-6 win over South Sydney on Thursday.
But Robinson says he shouldn't become the first teenager to play Origin for either state since Will Hopoate in 2011.
"He's not yet ready," Robinson said.
"He's on his way, I think we can all see that. But he's not yet ready.
"He's doing the stuff that people like to watch but it's not about just falling over the line.
"You've got to be at the top of your game and he needs to improve continually."
Mitchell debuted for the Roosters at the start of last year, spending time on the wing and at fullback.
He was one of the few bright lights of their otherwise dour season, shifting between positions to score 14 tries in 24 matches as they finished 15th.
But Robinson now believes he is best suited to the centres.
"We're really happy with where he's going and the way he's improving," he said
"He hasn't played centre much.
"But if he keeps improving and keeps working on the other parts of the game people don't see, then he will be ready to perform well at any level."
Mitchell has been replaced in the No.1 jersey by Gordon, who was expected to come to the club as a mentor for him.
However such have been his performances that Gordon believes he needs little guidance and could already dominate whatever position he wants to play in the backline.
"I don't think he needs any mentoring. If he wants to play fullback he's got all the skills in the world to do it," Gordon said.
"He could probably be one of the most damaging centres for the next 10 years. It's up to him and the coach where he ends up.
"He could play anything. He's such a damaging centre but he could play fullback easily. He's done it last year and he killed it."
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