After being named NRL rookie of the year last season, the 21-year-old has made his State of Origin debut and won his first premiership in his second top-grade campaign. 

He remains on of several Sharks in contention for the end of season Four Nations tournament with the team announcement moved to Tuesday morning. 

Bird’s grand final opponent Will Matthews and Dragons star Josh Dugan are the incumbent Test centre pairing but Bird’s utility value and his potency as a bench weapon demonstrated in this year’s Origing series would make him a valuable member of the Test squad.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said an elbow injury sustained in Sunday’s grand final may jeapordise Bird’s chances but said several of his stars had done enough to earn call-ups to national duty.

“I know Gal [Paul Gallen] would love to be going, he’s got great pride in the jersey and that’s what Mal wants, so I’d love to see him go,” Flanagan said.

“We’re not sure what’s wrong with Birdy’s arm yet but he hurt his arm pretty badly in that first half and probably should’ve come off.

“He’ll have to have X-rays [to see] whether it’s broken or not but he played a long period of time with a really bad arm injury but he’s a chance.

“Whether they pick Andrew [Fifita] or not...he’s got to deal with some other things, but he’s definitely good enough on football ability. Whether he gets picked or not I’m not quite sure.”