Luke Brooks says missing out on State of Origin could be the best thing for Wests Tigers
LUKE Brooks says he is closer to Blues selection than ever before but concedes missing out on State of Origin will be a blessing in disguise for the Wests Tigers.
Tigers
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tigers. Followed categories will be added to My News.
LUKE Brooks says he is closer to Blues selection than ever before but concedes missing out on Origin will be a blessing in disguise for the Wests Tigers.
Brooks has produced career-best form this season to surge into contention for a maiden NSW appearance.
Despite his strong showings, the Blues look set to select Penrith pairing James Maloney and Nathan Cleary in the halves for Game I in Melbourne on June 6.
Brooks, though, isn’t too concerned.
He believes a Blues snubbing will give him more time to focus on a Tigers side that have lost four of its past five matches.
MONDAY BUNKER: Is Arthur set for chop?
FULL HOUSE: Penrith pumped for epic clash
“Over the last few weeks we haven’t won as many games as we would have liked to,” Brooks said.
“I’d love to get the chance to play Origin one day, but I’m happy to play good footy at the Tigers.
“At the start of the year Origin was the furthest thing from my mind, but over the last couple of weeks I’ve had my name get tossed around.
“Most other years my name hasn’t been there, but once you start to play some good footy it happens.
“It’s good getting your name thrown around. It shows that I’m playing good footy. But I’m not worried if I don’t get picked.”
Instead of stewing about Origin selection, Brooks is focused on reviving the Tigers’ season.
The joint-venture club have lost their spark in recent weeks after starting the year with five wins from their opening six games.
On the plus side, Brooks says the Tigers can capitalise on the fact they most likely won’t have any players selected in Origin.
“Teams like the Dragons will have a few players out, so it is going to be a tough time for them,” he said.
“I think we’ll just have Marsters, Packer and Matulino in the New Zealand side, but we’ll see what happens.”
Brooks knows the Tigers have been below their best, but he expects this to change against Canterbury at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
“Hopefully we can hit back against the Dogs,” he said.
“They haven’t won as many games as they’d like, but they are a quality side and it will be a tough one for us.”
The Tigers are expecting Josh Reynolds to return from a shoulder injury to take on his former club.
Brooks says Reynolds will be a major boost for the Tigers.
“Josh will be a good addition for us,” he said. “We might need a little bit of energy. He brings a lot of it and it will be good for us.”