SYDNEY Roosters prop Mark O`Meley gets one final chance to stake his claim for a NSW recall in State of Origin II when his NRL side meets the Wests Tigers.The Sydney Football Stadium clash between two of the NRL`s form sides will provide several NSW hopefuls a final chance to impress before the team is named on Tuesday.
Both O`Meley and five-eighth Braith Anasta will be pushing their names forward to join their Roosters teammates Willie Mason, Craig Fitzgibbon, Anthony Tupou and Nate Myles in the game at Suncorp Stadium on June 11.
O`Meley is vying for the prop jersey vacated by injured Newcastle hardman Ben Cross (thumb), although he faces stiff competition from leading contenders Brent Kite and Luke Bailey.
But with an almost injury-free start to the season and more consistency in his game than in his last year with the Bulldogs in 2007, O`Meley could come into contention for an Origin recall after a two-year exile.
“Last year I felt like I had it there, getting into the role (with the Roosters) but I couldn`t get over three games in a row,`` said O`Meley, who has played in ten Origin matches.
“Whereas this year, I think I`ve missed one out of 10, so I feel like I`m getting in some momentum and hopefully I can continue that.``
The Tigers have their own Origin hopeful in hooker Robbie Farah, who was pushing for Danny Buderus` starting position in game one prior to injury but is still considered some chance of snaring a bench spot.
Fresh from their impressive win over the Gold Coast, the Tigers are gunning for three straight but will have to make do without key star Liam Fulton, who will miss at least six weeks after injuring his shoulder against the Titans.
The Roosters can re-join Melbourne at the top of the NRL ladder with a win and coach Brad Fittler urged his fans to turn out in force for the all-Sydney clash.
“The players have really put in the last two weeks and they deserve the fans support by turning up to the game,`` Fittler said.
AAP
