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Wests Tigers centre Chris Lawrence is desperate to break into Origin football this year and has urged NSW selectors to seriously consider throwing teammate Blake Ayshford in alongside him.
Lawrence has already played for Australia but is yet to wear the blue of NSW, robbed of the opportunity last year due to a horrific hip injury.
But the 23-year-old looms as a near certain selection this season.
And Lawrence believes Ayshford would be the perfect ally at right centre as the Blues look to shut down Queensland duo Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges and go some way towards ending the Maroons' six-year dominance.
"I haven't played an Origin game yet but I'd definitely love the challenge and contest that Origin brings," Lawrence told Sportal on Wednesday.
"If I got the chance to play I'd relish it and Blake is definitely someone the selectors should be looking at (as well)."
"He was a standout for us last year - I thought he was our best back - and was unlucky not to get a call-up to the Four Nations squad."
"He's a great player and an Origin player of the future and if he's playing good footy at that time of the year I think (he should be considered)."
"He'll not only cope with Origin, he'd excel at it."
While happy to talk up his mate, Lawrence is just as desperate to play his part in the planned Blues' revival after being tormented by the Maroons' ongoing success.
"It's been pretty frustrating sitting on the sideline and watching a great Queensland side win every year," he said.
"It's something I don't like seeing."
"Hopefully I am fit and healthy at that time of the year and I get my chance to play for NSW."
"If I start the year well and am playing consistent football with the Tigers, I'll put my hand up and the rest is up to selectors."
"It's all about the Tigers at the moment."
Expectations on the joint venture club are high leading into the new season are high and Lawrence understands why.
Ahead of his first appearance of the year in Saturday's Foundation Cup clash with the Roosters, he declared: "We do have a good squad with a good mix of youth and experience and it's been building the last couple of years."
"We've got a good buy in Adam Blair and we all believe we've got the side to do it but it's a matter of going out on the field and doing it for 26 weeks."
"It's a great opportunity to win a comp. We've been close the last couple of years but haven't got over the line but hopefully we can learn from that."
http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/lawrence-eyes-origin-161427
Lawrence has already played for Australia but is yet to wear the blue of NSW, robbed of the opportunity last year due to a horrific hip injury.
But the 23-year-old looms as a near certain selection this season.
And Lawrence believes Ayshford would be the perfect ally at right centre as the Blues look to shut down Queensland duo Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges and go some way towards ending the Maroons' six-year dominance.
"I haven't played an Origin game yet but I'd definitely love the challenge and contest that Origin brings," Lawrence told Sportal on Wednesday.
"If I got the chance to play I'd relish it and Blake is definitely someone the selectors should be looking at (as well)."
"He was a standout for us last year - I thought he was our best back - and was unlucky not to get a call-up to the Four Nations squad."
"He's a great player and an Origin player of the future and if he's playing good footy at that time of the year I think (he should be considered)."
"He'll not only cope with Origin, he'd excel at it."
While happy to talk up his mate, Lawrence is just as desperate to play his part in the planned Blues' revival after being tormented by the Maroons' ongoing success.
"It's been pretty frustrating sitting on the sideline and watching a great Queensland side win every year," he said.
"It's something I don't like seeing."
"Hopefully I am fit and healthy at that time of the year and I get my chance to play for NSW."
"If I start the year well and am playing consistent football with the Tigers, I'll put my hand up and the rest is up to selectors."
"It's all about the Tigers at the moment."
Expectations on the joint venture club are high leading into the new season are high and Lawrence understands why.
Ahead of his first appearance of the year in Saturday's Foundation Cup clash with the Roosters, he declared: "We do have a good squad with a good mix of youth and experience and it's been building the last couple of years."
"We've got a good buy in Adam Blair and we all believe we've got the side to do it but it's a matter of going out on the field and doing it for 26 weeks."
"It's a great opportunity to win a comp. We've been close the last couple of years but haven't got over the line but hopefully we can learn from that."
http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/lawrence-eyes-origin-161427
