Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has challenged Tim Moltzen to take advantage of NSW's lack of halfback options and play himself into Ricky Stuart's squad for the 2012 State of Origin series.
The 23-year-old, who back-tracked on a decision to move to St George Illawarra late last year, will start the Tigers' new campaign in the No.7 shirt following Robert Lui's move to North Queensland.
Sheens admitted he was hugely disappointed to see Lui depart, having spent so much time helping him develop into one of the best young playmakers in the game.
But after Lui was charged with assaulting his girlfriend after the club's 2011 season mad Monday celebrations, and with the club under pressure from sponsors to release him, Sheens said there was little option but to move him on.
However, the veteran coach believes the versatile Moltzen, who has played mostly at fullback, can flourish in the halves alongside skipper Benji Marshall.
And he believes he should put current NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce under pressure for his place.
''With Moltzen and Marshall, we'll have the fastest halves combination in the game,'' Sheens said.
''No other team is going to have more speed over 80 metres than that pair. If I'm Timmy, I'd be looking at Ricky's squad.
''He was included in his emerging Origin squad and to be able to play at seven there is a lot less opposition in that position than at fullback.''
Sheens also revealed winger Lote Tuqiri could miss the first month of the season as he recovers from thumb surgery. The former dual international will definitely sit out the first match of the season against Cronulla and possibly more as he makes slow progress in his recovery.
''He's had his thumb pinned and it is taking a bit of time,'' Sheens said.
The Tigers' new signing, Adam Blair, said the opportunity to line up alongside New Zealand teammate Marshall was a factor in his decision to sign from Melbourne. The versatile forward agreed to a deal worth around $500,000 a year.
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