After almost a decade of being written off as too small for representative football, Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue has moved a step closer to realising his State Of Origin dream.
NSW selectors yesterday named Tongue and Raiders teammates Terry Campese and Joel Monaghan in an extended 40-man squad ahead of the Origin opener on June 3.
It is the first time either Tongue or Campese have been included in an Origin squad, while Monaghan returns after making his NSW debut in game three last year.
The three will attend an induction camp in Sydney on April 29.Tongue and Campese are now also likely to get starts for Country in the annual NSW trial against City in Orange on May 8, while Monaghan is in line to play for Australia in the Anzac Test at Suncorp Stadium on the same night.
Tongue's only previous representative honours were serving as 18th man for Country in 2007 and playing for the Prime Minster's XIII against Papua New Guinea last year.He hoped his versatility he has started at both lock and hooker for the Raiders this season would help him earn a place in NSW's final 17 for Origin I.
The 27-year-old, who made his NRL debut in 2000, hoped his small stature wouldn't go against him.
"I suppose it's what you do with your size and how you can assist the side in different areas," Tongue said.
"I mightn't be the man who is going to make you 150m, but hopefully there's other areas of my game I'll be able to help out in.
"I've been chopping and changing around already this season with the injuries that we've had.
"Utility value hopefully might hold up there a bit."
Tongue still faces a considerable challenge to make the final side.The selectors also included back-rowers Ryan Hoffman, Anthony Watmough, Paul Gallen, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ben Creagh, Luke O'Donnell, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Tupou, and Trent Waterhouse in the extended squad.
But Tongue has won support for inclusion from the likes of Gold Coast coach John Cartwright and former NSW five-eighth Matthew Johns, who both believe his work ethic and tenacity would be perfect for Origin.
Campese, who made his debut for Australia last year, is one of five players in the squad capable of playing five-eighth.
The others are Kurt Gidley, John Sutton, Luke Lewis and Jarrod Mullen.
Monaghan is likely to be the only automatic selection from the Raiders while Manly's Brett Stewart and Bulldogs centre Josh Morris are both out of contention through injury despite being named in the squad.
Former Raiders Michael Weyman and Colin Best are also in the extended squad.
"Performances will definitely have the final say in who gets into that side," Tongue said.
"It's exciting to have your name there.
"It is good to be there and it keeps you motivated."
Tongue is set to start in his preferred position of lock against the Bulldogs at Canberra Stadium on Sunday, after coach David Furner opted to draft rookie hooker Travis Waddell into the starting team yesterday.
"I'll probably play a bit more of a ball-playing role back there at lock," Tongue said.
Furner has also included prop Dane Tilse and back-rower Nigel Plum in an extended 18-man squad, while youngster Shaun Fensom returns to the Queensland Cup.Halfback Josh McCrone will make his NRL debut in place of the injured Marc Herbert in the only other change to last week's team which played the Gold Coast Titans.
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