Canterbury NRL coach Des Hasler has thrust Brett Morris forward as the early frontrunner for Jarryd Hayne's vacated NSW State of Origin fullback spot.
Morris has made a stunning transfer to fullback in his move to the Bulldogs, scoring three tries in his two games so far and proving a handful almost every time he has the ball.
His defensive work has also been eyecatching. His effort with Josh Jackson to stop a runaway Semi Radradra in the Bulldogs' 32-12 win over Parramatta on Friday night was one of the plays that turned the game.
Hayne was one of the Blues' best in their drought-breaking Origin series win last year. But, with the NFL rookie's exit, the NSW No.1 jersey shaped as a problem area for coach Laurie Daley in 2015 as NSW chased back-to-back series victories for the first time since 2005.
But Hasler believed Morris, who moved to Belmore from St George Illawarra this season and whose 10 NSW caps have all come on the wing, was the man for the NSW fullback job.
"Undoubtedly, he'd be in anyone's top pick as one of the best wingers in the world. He is just a class footballer," Hasler said.
"You know it is only his second game at fullback, and his second game in six months, but there are some really good signs there ... and he wears the Blue jumper.
"There are a number of fullback choices there for Laurie Daley but he is not making a bad fist of it at the moment, is he?"
Brett Stewart, Will Hopoate and Josh Dugan are among the other candidates to play No.1 for New South Wales ahead of the series opener on May 27 in Sydney.
Share
