NSW Country coach Laurie Daley has challenged Raiders five-eighth Terry Campese to prove he is worthy of a State of Origin jersey by out-playing City rival John Sutton in tonight's match in Orange.
Campese's Origin hopes go on the line when he opposes South Sydney's Sutton, in what will be one of the most important games of either player's career.
With the Blues' No6 jersey up for grabs and both having legitimate claims, NSW selector Daley said Raiders playmaker Campese had been presented with a perfect opportunity to show what he's got.
After two quiet games for the Raiders, Daley said now was the time for Campese to show what he was capable of.
''He obviously carried an injury into the last couple of games, but he'll be right, I'm sure he'll be up for a big game,'' Daley said.
''He's certainly got a great opportunity to prove himself ... the spot is certainly open and he gets his first chance to press his claims.''
While Daley said tonight's match wasn't the be all and end all for NSW hopefuls, a good performance by Campese would weigh heavily in his favour.
''It's not so much a shootout as in who comes out on top, because one might just shave the other.
''But it's certainly a great opportunity for Campese to showcase his skills and play with other players of similar capabilities.''
Campese injured his foot while attempting a field goal against the Gold Coast Titans three weeks ago.
It clearly hindered him in the Raiders' subsequent losses to the Bulldogs and Penrith, as did a virus that floored him just hours before the Bulldogs match.
But the 24-year-old said he was nearing 100per cent fitness heading into tonight's match.
''I've been struggling a bit I suppose,'' Campese said.
''We haven't won lately and you don't play your best footy when your team isn't winning.
''The better I play [tonight] the better it pushes my chances for Origin.
''It's every kid's dream to play Origin and when it comes to that time of year I'd love to hear my name read out.
''This is where you're up against the other halves and this is where you push your selection further.''
Campese is joined in the Country team by fellow Raiders Alan Tongue and Joel Monaghan, who are both genuine chances of playing for NSW this season.
Monaghan joined the Country side on Wednesday, having been in camp with the Australian team as cover for injured Kangaroos winger Darius Boyd.
Only a major disaster would prevent the 27-year-old from retaining his place on the NSW wing, after making his debut in Origin III last year.
Daley said Tongue, 28, was also well in the frame for an Origin debut, particularly if the Raiders skipper played well tonight.
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