Brett Stewart admits an ongoing hamstring problem could cost him the No.1 NSW State of Origin jersey, but the Manly fullback is hopeful he'll be fit and fighting come June.
Stewart says the injury - which he aggravated during Sunday's win over Cronulla - has been lingering since before round one of this year's NRL season, affecting his preparations and on-field performance.
"It's been giving me a bit of grief," he said on Tuesday.
"I've been getting through the games but it's definitely not 100 per cent."
The troublesome hamstring has already forced Stewart to forfeit a spot on the NSW Country team for Sunday's match against City in Coffs Harbour.
Omission from the Blues squad could be next on the cards, with NSW officials understood to already be concerned about his fitness.
"(Origin's) obviously a few more weeks away, but I'm just trying to get on top of it," Stewart said.
"Hopefully it'll be alright.
"If it's not 100 per cent, then I won't be able to play.
"But obviously I have to get selected first."
While the 28-year-old wouldn't say whether he considered himself a frontrunner for the No.1 jersey, the chance to return to representative football is definitely on his mind.
Stewart has played at fullback seven times for NSW - four in 2007 and 2008 and in all three matches last year - and was named on the bench once for the final game of the 2008 series.
Kurt Gidley, Jarryd Hayne, Josh Dugan and Anthony Minichiello have filled the spot in Stewart's absence.
"I had a couple of years away from it and last year was my first year back and I thoroughly enjoyed it," he said.
"Sticky (then coach Ricky Stuart) put a lot of pride and passion back in the jersey. I'm not saying it wasn't there, but just a little bit more I think.
"I think Laurie (Daley)'s going to do a good job taking over from Sticky.
"It'll be good to be a part of this year."
Game one of the 2013 Origin series kicks off on June 5 at ANZ Stadium.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/injury-clouds-stewarts-nsw-origin-chances-20130416-2hxxa.html
Stewart says the injury - which he aggravated during Sunday's win over Cronulla - has been lingering since before round one of this year's NRL season, affecting his preparations and on-field performance.
"It's been giving me a bit of grief," he said on Tuesday.
"I've been getting through the games but it's definitely not 100 per cent."
The troublesome hamstring has already forced Stewart to forfeit a spot on the NSW Country team for Sunday's match against City in Coffs Harbour.
Omission from the Blues squad could be next on the cards, with NSW officials understood to already be concerned about his fitness.
"(Origin's) obviously a few more weeks away, but I'm just trying to get on top of it," Stewart said.
"Hopefully it'll be alright.
"If it's not 100 per cent, then I won't be able to play.
"But obviously I have to get selected first."
While the 28-year-old wouldn't say whether he considered himself a frontrunner for the No.1 jersey, the chance to return to representative football is definitely on his mind.
Stewart has played at fullback seven times for NSW - four in 2007 and 2008 and in all three matches last year - and was named on the bench once for the final game of the 2008 series.
Kurt Gidley, Jarryd Hayne, Josh Dugan and Anthony Minichiello have filled the spot in Stewart's absence.
"I had a couple of years away from it and last year was my first year back and I thoroughly enjoyed it," he said.
"Sticky (then coach Ricky Stuart) put a lot of pride and passion back in the jersey. I'm not saying it wasn't there, but just a little bit more I think.
"I think Laurie (Daley)'s going to do a good job taking over from Sticky.
"It'll be good to be a part of this year."
Game one of the 2013 Origin series kicks off on June 5 at ANZ Stadium.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/injury-clouds-stewarts-nsw-origin-chances-20130416-2hxxa.html
