Speaking ahead of tonight's match between the Titans and Raiders at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast, Cartwright described Tongue as a ready-made representative player.

Selectors have regularly dismissed Tongue as being too small for Origin, something Cartwright said was well off the mark.

''I've got no doubt Alan Tongue is a guy that's made for State of Origin,'' Cartwright said.

''You've got to pick different sorts of players and he's as mentally tough as anyone in the game. He's got the ability to play at another level. He never looks fatigued.

''With his lack of size, I don't think that would be a problem.

''He's like [Queensland lock] Dallas Johnson the speed is what you've got to get used to with Origin and I think he's the type of player who would handle that on his ear.''

Tongue will start at hooker tonight, allowing Josh Miller to move from the bench to lock.

Rookie hooker Travis Waddell is likely to replace Stuart Flanagan on the bench, where he will join Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Shaun Fensom and Troy Thompson.

Raiders coach David Furner has resisted the temptation to include prop Dane Tilse, believing the Raiders need to carry at least two smaller reserve forwards to help combat the Titans' mobile big men.

The Raiders will still carry a clear size advantage into the contest, with Scott Logan, David Shillington, Troy Thompson, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Bronson Harrison all over 100kg.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times