HE’S fully focused on making his Origin debut on Wednesday week but powerhouse back-rower Tyson Frizell may yet be parachuted into the Dragons lineup for their clash with the Cowboys at WIN Stadium on Saturday.
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Frizell was one of five debutants named in a 19-man NSW squad on Monday as coach Laurie Daley decided to keep fans, and perhaps the Queensland camp, guessing as to the make-up of his final 17 for game one.
Frizell appears locked in a battle with Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita for a place on the bench and could play for the Dragons on Saturday should he miss the final cut.
As expected Frizell wasn’t named in Paul McGregor’s squad for Saturday’s clash with Jason Nightingale shifting to fullback in place of Josh Dugan with Kurt Mann recalled on the wing.
Joel Thompson (suspension) and Benji Marshall (hamstring) will both return though Josh McCrone was named as 18th man.
Paul Green named his team without Jonathan Thurston, Matt Scott, James Tamou, Michael Morgan and Justin O’Neil.
For his part Frizell said he will be preparing as if he’s a lock for Origin I this week.
“You’ve just got to prepare like you will be playing even though down the track you might be on that extended bench,” Frizell said.
“Anything can happen and you need to be prepared. There’s no excuses for going out there and not playing well so I’ll be preparing well either way.”
Frizell has mounted a virtually irresistible case for selection in his past two performances for the Dragons, with a shift to the middle unlocking his best form. He said he’ll happily play edge or middle at Origin level.
“Depending on what Laurie wants to do I’ll be more than happy to play in the middle or on the edge. I’m comfortable in either position,” Frizell said.
“Having the chance to play in the middle the last few games for the Dragons has changed my game up a little bit.
“It sort of simplified my game a little bit and got me back to the things I’m better at.”
Whether he makes the final cut or not, Frizell is clearly part of a long-term plan for NSW with Daley leaving the likes of Beau Scott and Ryan Hoffman out of a more youthful side.
“It’s something every player wants to be a part of and I’m over the moon to be a part of it this year,” Frizell said.
“There are a few new faces but all the guys who’ve been picked have been playing well for a number of years.
“They haven’t just had a breakout year they’ve been in good form for a couple of years. It’s something I definitely want to be a part of for years to come.”
