The calls are getting louder for Ryan Papenhuyzen to make his Origin debut for NSW this year, but Josh Addo-Carr can't see his Storm teammate taking James Tedesco's No.1 jersey just yet.
Papenhuyzen has started the new season in a rich vein of form and showed his immense talent against the Broncos on Friday night when he ran for 292 metres and scored four tries in an 11-minute burst.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy said after the match that he wouldn't swap his custodian for any other fullback in the league and it looks a mere formality that Papenhuyzen will earn his first Blues jersey when Origin I kicks off in Melbourne on June 9.
But Addo-Carr expects Tedesco to hold on to his favourite No.1 jersey and that Papenhuyzen would have to bide his time and wait for his opportunity from the bench.
Addo-Carr gets on the outside and Papenhuyzen is there in support
"I could definitely see him (Papenhuyzen) in a Blues jersey and most likely it will be the 14 jersey I reckon," Addo-Carr said.
"Paps has obviously been carving it up and you have always got to do a good job at your club (to earn Origin selection).
"I am sure his footy will do the talking and it is doing the talking right now."
Papenhuyzen was in the running for his Origin debut last year when he was named in Brad Fittler's initial squad, but an untimely calf injury prior to the first game of the series meant he missed out on the chance.
Papenhuyzen now has four tries in the first half!
The disappointment of missing out on an Origin jersey has only driven Papenhuyzen further and Addo-Carr has already noticed a difference during the first four rounds of the season.
"That's what we love about Paps. He is 70kg ringing wet, but he just competes with anything and I think he is now the fittest in our side," Addo-Carr noted.
"That just goes to show how hard he worked in this the off-season.
"It is a sight to see him carving up for us and playing so well for us. I am super proud of Paps."
While Origin is on Addo-Carr's horizon later in the season, he remains firmly focused on helping the Storm back up their thrashing of the Broncos last round when they travel to Sydney to take on the struggling Bulldogs.
Addo-Carr admitted to some trepidation about the contest, given the 25-year-old only recently signed a lucrative four-year deal with the Bulldogs that will see him move to Belmore at the end of the year.
"I am new to all this signing with new club business...it is going to be weird," Addo-Carr said.
Match Highlights: Storm v Broncos
"They have got a really young side and are still working on getting their combinations right.
"I have been watching them a bit and it is going to be a tough challenge."
The Storm have received a boost with Harry Grant named on an extended bench to potentially make his first appearance for 2021 after suffering a knee injury in the pre-season.
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