Paul Gallen has embodied NSW's desperate State of Origin crusade over the past eight years but he insists he will not be tempted to quit on a high should the Blues finally end the Queensland dynasty in 2014.
Blues skipper Gallen turns 33 in August and the neck injury hetook from NSW's brave game one win at Suncorp Stadium is a reminder of how much punishment the Cronulla warrior has put his body through.
The wholehearted forward may only have a couple of years left in the NRL, but he dismissed the suggestion he could consider retiring from Origin should the Blues capitalise on their 1-0 lead and achieve the holy grail of a series victory this season.
It took Gallen some time to force his way into the Origin arena in the first place, and once there it took several years of being dropped and recalled until he established himself as the fixture he is today.
For that reason, Gallen says he will not be giving up his position without a fight, and while he is still playing for the Sharks he will leave his Origin fate in the hands of selectors.
"I see it that when someone's better than me at doing what I do, then I won't get picked in these sides," Gallen said.
"I look back at my Origin career and it's been real up and down. After being left out of the side a lot, it wasn't until 2011 when I was made captain that I really felt part of the side."
Gallen says he is definitely out of Cronulla's clash with St George Illawarra today with his neck problem.
