Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne will not let his State of Origin aspirations derail the Eels' chances of an NRL victory on Friday against St George Illawarra.
The versatile Hayne, who was controversially left out of the NSW team for game one, rocketed back into the frame for game two after
Dragons winger Brett Morris's howler helped Queensland to a 16-12 victory earlier this month.
Morris has since suffered a low-grade hamstring injury in the Dragons victory over Wests Tigers on Sunday, which is likely to rule him out of Friday's clash while further enhancing Hayne's chances of a Blues recall.
But the former Dally M medal winner is not letting Origin talk to away from his focus on toppling the ladder-leading Dragons.
When asked if he was ready to step up for NSW if called upon, Hayne replied: "I'm ready to play for the Eels and we'll go from there".
There is no question that a strong showing against the reigning premiers, who boast eight Origin representatives, would catch the attention of NSW coach Ricky Stuart, but Hayne said on Tuesday that his main worry was rebounding from last round's tough 8-6 loss to Newcastle.
"I know (there's no better team to prove yourself against than St George Illawarra), but I've just got to worry about the team and worry about what we're doing for the Eels," he said.
"...we will need to do the little things (this week) especially against the Dragons because they'll chew us apart."
Hayne has also been mentioned as a possibility to fill the bench utility role for Stuart, given his ability to cover all positions in the backline as well as Stuart's assertion that his best position is at five-eighth.
"I don't want to talk about anything that hasn't been established yet," Hayne said when asked about the utility role.
"I'll just focus on the Eels and play some good footy for them and whatever happens, happens."
- AAP
