An injury cloud hanging over NSW Origin hooker Robbie Farah has placed Storm utility Ryan Hinchcliffe the frame to enter the representative arena, with a potential Origin debut at the MCG looming.
Asked about his chances of entering Laurie Daley's squad should Farah be ruled out through a shoulder injury, Hinchcliffe explained his focus first and foremost was playing consistent football at club level but declared he is ready should NSW come calling.
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"It's something I would love to do, just for me I have been purely focusing on my job here at Melbourne Storm," Hinchliffe said.
"If the opportunity arose, I'm very confident I would be able to do the job.
"It would be a great opportunity and something I would love to do but as I said before, I'm just worried about my job at the Storm at the moment."
Hinchcliffe has had a taste of representative football in 2015, representing Trent Barrett's Country team at hooker in what was his third appearance in the annual fixture.
"I've been very grateful to play in those country games and lucky enough to play quite well," Hinchcliffe said.
"Unfortunately for me there wasn't anything to come from that but I'd love to be able to play for New South Wales.
"There's been some good players play in that position."
Often on the fringes of New South Wales selection for a number of years, Craig Bellamy offered this glowing endorsement back in 2011, leaving no one in any doubt whether the Temora junior could cut it at the top level.
"He wouldn't be out of place in a blue jumper," Bellamy said at the time.
"He's just such a tough competitor and he can play a few positions.
"I don't think he's ever let us down in a game."
