Josh Dugan’s Origin experience could decide if he plays fullback or centre

PAUL McGregor says he’s still undecided as to where Josh Dugan should play in 2016 but admits the 25-year old’s Origin experience could come into play.

State of Origin Josh Dugan after the match Picture:Wayne Ludbey

JOSH Dugan spent time training at fullback and right centre on Thursday as coach Paul McGregor continues to work out how best to use his superstar Dragon.

Dugan is keen to resume life in the centres, and McGregor will only allow it if new recruit Kurt Mann shines in the No. 1 jumper, or Adam Quinlan or Matt Dufty can impress.

McGregor, however, continues to think of one thing when it comes to the club’s biggest off-season positional debate.

“Josh is the current NSW fullback, and I don’t forget that as coach,’’ McGregor said.

“We’ve also got good centres at the club with Tim Lafai, Euan Aitken and Peter Mata’utia.

“But it’s certainly a big option of playing Josh in the centres. Besides Adam Quinlan, nobody else has played fullback at our club. Kurt played in the halves, centres and on the wing.

“He’s doing a good job at training, but Adam and Dufty are also trialling at fullback.

“We’ll give everyone equal opportunity to fulfil where they want to play. Kurt has made a beeline for the fullback position because that’s a position he thinks he can make the most impact at our club.’’

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Dugan has played both centre and fullback for New South Wales.

It’s a nice problem for McGregor to have, with the wealth of outside backs something the Dragons’ haven’t had in several years. The players were given a solid hitout in stifling heat at Kogarah yesterday.

Should Dugan shift to the centres, it will be interesting to see if NSW coach Laurie Daley perseveres with him in the No. 1 jumper, especially with Matt Moylan and James Tedesco stars on the rise, and two players named in the Emerging Blues squad this week.