State of Origin: Tigers’ Luke Brooks says he isn’t ‘anywhere near’ ready for Origin

LUKE Brooks says he is a few years away from Origin — but he can do his best to upset the chances of current hopefuls Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney.

Luke Brooks during Wests Tigers rugby league training at Concord Oval, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

LUKE Brooks says he is a few years away from an Origin call-up — but he can do his best this weekend to upset the chances of current NSW hopefuls Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney.

Brooks missed the chance to represent City because of a corked thigh on Sunday weekend, but will be fit for the Wests Tigers on Friday night as they try to send the Sydney Roosters crashing to a fifth straight defeat.

Josh Reynolds and Nathan Peats tackle James Maloney as he kicks the ball.

Pearce has been mooted as a halves partner to Trent Hodkinson for Origin I, while Maloney boosted his own chances of a recall with a man-of-the-match performance for Country in Wagga.

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Brooks upstaged Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds 11 days ago when the Tigers beat Canterbury — and he would love to do likewise against Pearce and Maloney at Allianz Stadium.

It was during All Stars camp earlier this year Brooks got the chance to spend time with Pearce, and discussed the pressures that come with being a young star in the game and in a key position.

“We had a few talks about that, he came up as a young bloke, and was put into Origin at a young age, and he knows what it’s like to have pressure on him,’’ Brooks said.

“It was good to talk to him about stuff like that.

“Origin is a different ball game. I’m still learning about the NRL, I don’t think I’m anywhere near (Origin) at the moment, but hopefully I can get there one day.

“I didn’t really watch City-Country, but I heard Maloney had a good game. It will be tough for us. Those two players are hitting form coming into Origin, and they’ll be looking to have a big game and push their stake for Origin.’’

Once Luke Keary was ruled out of the City team, coach Brad Fittler contacted Brooks, only for the Tigers half-back to reveal he had a cork during the big win over the Dogs.

“I didn’t train all last week, so I wouldn’t have been able to run until the end of the week, and even then I would have been pushing it for Sunday,’’ Brooks said.

“It would have been my first (City) jersey, and I would have loved playing in it, but I would have only risked further injury.’’

Luke Brooks during Wests Tigers training at Concord Oval. Pic Brett Costello

Brooks had a light run on Sunday, and moved freely during Monday’s session.

In further good news for Tigers fans, big Keith Galloway looks ready to return from a shoulder injury, which kept him out of the big win over the Dogs.

Brooks, 20, and Tigers five-eighth Mitch Moses, also 20, have been touted as a the long-term Blues’ halves options — NSW hooker and Tigers skipper Robbie Farah is a big fan of the pair — and they’ve improved with every outing. Brooks and fullback James Tedesco have been especially effective.

The halves match-up will go a long way to deciding Friday night’s result.

Brooks said it was great the Tigers had gone into the free weekend after a win, and he personally felt mentally refreshed.

Originally published as State of Origin: Tigers’ Luke Brooks says he isn’t ‘anywhere near’ ready for Origin