Dragons centre Matt Cooper is on a mission to use next week's NRL All Stars game as a springboard into the NSW and Australian teams.
A State of Origin discard last year, Cooper's representative career has been single-handedly resurrected by St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett, who launched a public campaign to have the 30-year-old selected in the inaugural NRL showcase on the Gold Coast.
Cooper yesterday made it clear that his desire to wear the sky blue jersey still burned and even hinted at pushing for a place in the Australian team this year, with Justin Hodges sidelined and an injury cloud over Melbourne colossus Greg Inglis.
Full coverage of the Dragons "Everyone that goes out there (in the All Stars game) is going to be trying to win the game and impress for either their state or country," Cooper said.
"I'm going to be trying to get back in the Origin mix; it's disappointing when you're not playing, so I'll definitely be trying to prove a point."
"I was disappointed not making the Origin side, so to be back in the rep scene, it was a good feeling and it's going to be a great game."
Inglis is in doubt to play for the Indigenous All Stars at Skilled Park on Saturday week because of a hip problem.
If the Storm superstar does play, Cooper is expected to shift to the right side to directly mark Inglis.
With a NSW place on his mind, Cooper said he hoped Inglis would take his place.
"Definitely, I like going into a game like this with a challenge," he said.
"I would be disappointed if he doesn't play because he's a big attraction for fans to watch the game."
Cooper was overlooked for Origin duty last year as NSW selectors and coach Craig Bellamy opted for fresh blood in their failed bid to end Queensland's recent dominance.
And although he hasn't played for Australia since 2006, Cooper refused to believe the door was shut for the Anzac Test against New Zealand in May.
With Hodges to miss the season with an Achilles tendon injury, his Test position could be between the three NRL All Stars representatives in Cooper, Penrith's Michael Jennings and Kiama junior Josh Morris.
Cooper battled a heel injury during the second half of last season, but claimed he was back to full fitness and ready to rediscover his best form.
"It was pretty sore, it was pretty bad," Cooper said.
"There were probably a couple of games I should have sat out, but I didn't want to and it wasn't the right time.
"I've been running pretty freely on it all preseason, I had seven weeks off my feet and it seemed to heal pretty good."
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