Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley believes Canberra prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs should be ''one of the first front-rowers picked'' for NSW after his dominant performance on Saturday night.
Daley rated Learoyd-Lahrs his best forward in his side's 36-28 loss to the NRL All Stars, and was particularly impressed with the Raiders giant's early-season fitness and work rate.
Learoyd-Lahrs was a standout for Country against City last year, but a fractured cheekbone and eye socket quashed his Origin hopes.
But Raiders legend Daley, who stepped down as a NSW selector after the 2010 series, insists the 26-year-old deserves to regain his Blues jersey this season.
''I thought he was excellent, I think he's primed for a big season and he'd certainly be in my NSW team,'' Daley said yesterday.
''He was disappointed with his season last year, but if he didn't get injured [in City-Country] he would have been in the NSW team and will be one of the first front-rowers picked.
''He's a dynamic player and I thought he was our most dominant forward out there, actually.''
Learoyd-Lahrs has played four Origins, the most recent from the bench in the 2010 series opener.
Injuries, including a season-ending pectoral tear against the Roosters in round 17, restricted Learoyd-Lahrs to just 12 appearances for the Raiders last year.
Learoyd-Lahrs has publicly expressed his frustration at his performances last season, and has attacked pre-season training like a man with a point to prove.
''It's always difficult when you're not living up to your own expectations, but he looks in terrific shape,'' Daley said.
''When I took him off he was angry about that, so that's always a good sign. He's one of those guys you enjoy being around because he works so hard.''
Learoyd-Lahrs has built his game around destructive running and bone-crunching defence, but Daley was most happy with his 'one percenters'.
''I was really happy with his little efforts,'' Daley said. ''We can talk about his running and tackling and the sheer size of him, but he got around the ground really well.
''He covered ground on the inside, and all the second and third efforts you do in a game was a big part of his performance.
''He stayed tight in defence, which was great for a big guy early in the season.''
Fellow Raiders prop David Shillington is also desperate to regain his Queensland jersey, with injury ruling him out of last year's series.
Understandably, he has mixed feelings about locking horns with his front row partner in the Origin arena.
But he said if effort counts for anything, Learoyd-Lahrs should be a certainty.
''I was excited for him to be back playing and it would be hard to find someone who's trained harder than Tommy,'' Shillington said.
''I think he was doing some sneaky training in October when we were supposed to be resting, because when the boys came back in November he was blowing everyone away with how fit and strong he was.
''I joke around that I always try and get out of his way at training, but come Origin time I'd put a shot on him I think.''
Canberra's All Stars contingent of Josh Dugan, Learoyd-Lahrs, Joel Thompson and Travis Waddell all emerged unscathed from Saturday night's match.
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