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CANTERBURY centre Josh Morris threw his hat back into the ring for State of Origin selection with a successful return from injury in the Bulldogs' victory over South Sydney on Saturday night.
Morris caught the eye of selectors in round one when he ran rampant over the Wests Tigers, scoring a brilliant 95 metre try and setting up another in an outstanding display, before suffering a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
But NSW coach Ricky Stuart would have been pleased to hear that Morris has passed his first test with flying colours. ''The knee feels good. Obviously it was good to get through the game and come through unscathed,'' Morris said. ''It's pulled up all right and it's going to get better each week. It was a bit of a confidence test tonight and it's come through. I'll be more confident next week.''
The 24-year-old had a quiet but productive night against the Rabbitohs, running for 61 metres with five tackle-breaks, as he eased his way back into the game.
A Country Origin certainty, Morris will have two big auditions for a Blues jumper in the next fortnight, when he first faces Brisbane's Justin Hodges on Friday, and then lines up against City on May 6.
''I'd like to [be in the Country side] but at this stage I'm just preparing for next week against the Broncos and Justin Hodges,'' he said. ''He's a world-class centre and I've got to make sure I'm all right to take him on. He showed it [against Wests Tigers] on Friday night. I think the right-hand side dominated the Tigers and it's going to be a good challenge for me. It's certainly something I'm looking forward to.''
Hodges is tipped to reclaim his spot in the Australian team, but the 28-year-old didn't believe he was anywhere near his best form despite a blistering start to the season.
''I'm going all right. Each game is a building block and I'm just building each week,'' he said. ''I'm not really thinking about [the May Test].
''At the moment I haven't played for the Broncos for a very long time so I've got to show my loyalty here and play each week here first. It would be good to play with Locky [Darren Lockyer] one last time for Australia and Queensland.''
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ues-revival-20110424-1dt1q.html#ixzz1KSCBTzLp
Morris caught the eye of selectors in round one when he ran rampant over the Wests Tigers, scoring a brilliant 95 metre try and setting up another in an outstanding display, before suffering a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
But NSW coach Ricky Stuart would have been pleased to hear that Morris has passed his first test with flying colours. ''The knee feels good. Obviously it was good to get through the game and come through unscathed,'' Morris said. ''It's pulled up all right and it's going to get better each week. It was a bit of a confidence test tonight and it's come through. I'll be more confident next week.''
The 24-year-old had a quiet but productive night against the Rabbitohs, running for 61 metres with five tackle-breaks, as he eased his way back into the game.
A Country Origin certainty, Morris will have two big auditions for a Blues jumper in the next fortnight, when he first faces Brisbane's Justin Hodges on Friday, and then lines up against City on May 6.
''I'd like to [be in the Country side] but at this stage I'm just preparing for next week against the Broncos and Justin Hodges,'' he said. ''He's a world-class centre and I've got to make sure I'm all right to take him on. He showed it [against Wests Tigers] on Friday night. I think the right-hand side dominated the Tigers and it's going to be a good challenge for me. It's certainly something I'm looking forward to.''
Hodges is tipped to reclaim his spot in the Australian team, but the 28-year-old didn't believe he was anywhere near his best form despite a blistering start to the season.
''I'm going all right. Each game is a building block and I'm just building each week,'' he said. ''I'm not really thinking about [the May Test].
''At the moment I haven't played for the Broncos for a very long time so I've got to show my loyalty here and play each week here first. It would be good to play with Locky [Darren Lockyer] one last time for Australia and Queensland.''
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ues-revival-20110424-1dt1q.html#ixzz1KSCBTzLp
