Raiders centre Joel Monaghan wants to prove he should have been in the NSW team from day one when he makes his State of Origin return at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday.
Monaghan was drafted into the Blues starting team for the crucial clash with Queensland yesterday, after Penrith flyer Michael Jennings succumbed to a calf injury.
The 27-year-old had been in camp with the squad as a shadow player.
A disappointed Jennings vowed to be back for Origin III on July 15.
But after a string of selection disappointments, Monaghan was just as eager to keep him out.
''You've always got something to prove when you're in a rep team and I don't want this to be a one off,'' Monaghan said.
''I want to go out there and do my job well and hopefully get picked again. I've got something to prove personally.''
More State of Origin news in today's Canberra Times
Email a friend