Michael Jennings and Josh Morris in a battle for a spot at centre for Blues
WITH Josh Dugan likely to be picked at centre for the Blues, Michael Jennings and Josh Morris are left in a battle to retain their treasured positions.
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PARRAMATTA star Michael Jennings knows the pressure is increasing.
He and Blues centre partner Josh Morris are fighting for one State of Origin spot.
Jennings wants another crack. Desperately.
Another chance to avenge last year’s 52-6 Origin III horror show.
Blues coach Laurie Daley last week confirmed Josh Dugan would definitely be selected.
With Daley preferring James Tedesco at fullback, Dugan may be picked at centre — leaving incumbents Jennings and Morris in a battle to retain their treasured positions.
Jennings has another chance to impress when Parramatta take on Manly at Brookvale on Thursday night.
Adding to the occasion, it will be 200th NRL match.
Speaking with The Daily Telegraph on Monday, Jennings, 27, told of his insatiable desire to return to rugby league’s Origin cauldron.
“Definitely, the thrills of Origin, playing up at that level — it still burns inside me,” Jennings said.
“You want to get that opportunity again. That was an embarrassing performance we tossed up in game three. You want to redeem yourself and show the potential we have in the team that was put together.
“I’d love to get that opportunity and get that win. But at the moment I’m just really focused on playing my footy and doing my part for Parramatta but if I get that opportunity and ‘Loz’ wants me to go again, I’ll be up and ready again. Ready for the big one.
“There’s not much pressure — I just have to do my part and play my footy.”
Jennings said he was still working on combinations after joining the Eels from the Roosters in January.
“Each week is a step closer to where I want to be. I just need to work on my combinations — as long as I have the work ethic and keep putting the effort in, there is always room for improvement. It’s looking good at the moment.”
Jennings made his NRL debut back in 2007.
The journey has taken him from Penrith to Bondi and Parramatta via NSW and Australia.
“Looking back, I wonder where did all that time go? It’s gone so quick. I look at the young fellows now and think that I used to be that age. We would look at the older blokes at training and give it to them. Now they give it to me. It’s pretty funny,” Jennings said.
“I was 18 at the time when I made my debut. I didn’t expect to play 200 games. I can’t wait. It’s a good milestone, a good achievement. Pretty excited.
“Rugby league has given me so much. It has given me a better life and a lot of opportunities. It’s opened a lot of doors so I am just grateful for the position I’m in. It has put my family in a good position as well. When retirement comes, I guess I’ll be ready.”
Jennings and his Eels teammate continue to ignore the salary cap headlines which have engulfed Sydney’s media in recent weeks.
The players claim — publicly anyway — that they are just focused on footy.
“Collectively as a team, we haven’t really been focusing too much on all the outside stuff — just our job and what we need to do each week,” Jennings said. “The feeling at the club is pretty positive. Whatever the outcome is, we will deal with it as a team. We’ll be fine.”
Originally published as Michael Jennings and Josh Morris in a battle for a spot at centre for Blues
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