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Nathan Merritt puts his hand up for selection to the NSW Origin squad
By Dean Ritchie
Daily Telegraph
May 08, 2013 12:00am
SOUTH Sydney winger Nathan Merritt says he has "no fear of the Origin cauldron" and his painful 12-year wait for a Blues jersey should end.
Merritt has rocketed into calculations for a NSW start in game one next month following injuries to Manly fullback Brett Stewart and Dragons winger Brett Morris. Both players were considered Origin certainties.
The Daily Telegraph understands that Merritt could be a straight replacement for Morris if he fails to overcome a knee injury sustained against Manly on Monday night.
If Stewart, who has a hamstring, hip and upper leg problem, fails to prove his fitness, Jarryd Hayne would move to fullback and Merrit would come on to the wing.
After 146 tries in 208 NRL games, Merritt, 29, feels he is now ready to confront Queensland.
"Of course I would be ready. I am mature enough now," he told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
"I have played 200 games and have got that experience not to have any nerves.
"I've got no fear of playing in the Origin cauldron. The Origin stage, or arena, wouldn't bother me. Every player wants to play Origin and, if that time comes, I would be over the moon.
"I have wanted to play Origin for a while. There may be an opportunity there, but I have to play well to get a call-up. If I play well for a few more games then I will put my name in there."
Merritt will get another chance to press his claims when the Rabbitohs face North Queensland on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
Asked if he ever felt he was overlooked due to his race, Merritt said: "I wouldn't have a clue. Probably because they wanted a bigger winger, strength and size."
Stewart had scans yesterday, but the results won't be known until today. He was named last night for Manly's match against the Roosters on Monday night. Morris also had scans yesterday and was named to face Gold Coast this Sunday at Skilled Park.
However, neither player is guaranteed to line up for their respective teams this weekend.
Merritt yesterday received some high-profile support from Rabbitohs teammates Greg Inglis and Roy Asotasi.
"I'm not too sure about Brett Morris's incident or how long he's out for, but I'd love to see Nathan Merritt in the rep jersey," Inglis said.
"He did play well for City and plays well in any jersey he puts on. I'd love to see him put a Blues jumper on."
Asotasi said it was "mystery" why Merritt had been overlooked for so long.
"I definitely think he is ready to play Origin," he said. "It's a mystery as to why he isn't playing Origin, especially after how well he is going this year. It would be selfish for me to say I would rather have him in the red and green.
"He can find the tryline and win you a game.
"If NSW are looking for someone who can find the line, Merritt is the perfect candidate. He just has that tryscoring knack."
Inglis also talked down the spear tackle after being tipped on his head several times.
"I'm not worried whatsoever," he said. "No one is intentionally going out there thinking they're going to up-end someone on their head or anything like that."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...nsw-origin-squad/story-e6frexqr-1226637157937
By Dean Ritchie
Daily Telegraph
May 08, 2013 12:00am
SOUTH Sydney winger Nathan Merritt says he has "no fear of the Origin cauldron" and his painful 12-year wait for a Blues jersey should end.
Merritt has rocketed into calculations for a NSW start in game one next month following injuries to Manly fullback Brett Stewart and Dragons winger Brett Morris. Both players were considered Origin certainties.
The Daily Telegraph understands that Merritt could be a straight replacement for Morris if he fails to overcome a knee injury sustained against Manly on Monday night.
If Stewart, who has a hamstring, hip and upper leg problem, fails to prove his fitness, Jarryd Hayne would move to fullback and Merrit would come on to the wing.
After 146 tries in 208 NRL games, Merritt, 29, feels he is now ready to confront Queensland.
"Of course I would be ready. I am mature enough now," he told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
"I have played 200 games and have got that experience not to have any nerves.
"I've got no fear of playing in the Origin cauldron. The Origin stage, or arena, wouldn't bother me. Every player wants to play Origin and, if that time comes, I would be over the moon.
"I have wanted to play Origin for a while. There may be an opportunity there, but I have to play well to get a call-up. If I play well for a few more games then I will put my name in there."
Merritt will get another chance to press his claims when the Rabbitohs face North Queensland on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
Asked if he ever felt he was overlooked due to his race, Merritt said: "I wouldn't have a clue. Probably because they wanted a bigger winger, strength and size."
Stewart had scans yesterday, but the results won't be known until today. He was named last night for Manly's match against the Roosters on Monday night. Morris also had scans yesterday and was named to face Gold Coast this Sunday at Skilled Park.
However, neither player is guaranteed to line up for their respective teams this weekend.
Merritt yesterday received some high-profile support from Rabbitohs teammates Greg Inglis and Roy Asotasi.
"I'm not too sure about Brett Morris's incident or how long he's out for, but I'd love to see Nathan Merritt in the rep jersey," Inglis said.
"He did play well for City and plays well in any jersey he puts on. I'd love to see him put a Blues jumper on."
Asotasi said it was "mystery" why Merritt had been overlooked for so long.
"I definitely think he is ready to play Origin," he said. "It's a mystery as to why he isn't playing Origin, especially after how well he is going this year. It would be selfish for me to say I would rather have him in the red and green.
"He can find the tryline and win you a game.
"If NSW are looking for someone who can find the line, Merritt is the perfect candidate. He just has that tryscoring knack."
Inglis also talked down the spear tackle after being tipped on his head several times.
"I'm not worried whatsoever," he said. "No one is intentionally going out there thinking they're going to up-end someone on their head or anything like that."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...nsw-origin-squad/story-e6frexqr-1226637157937
