Mitch Moses has declared he is ready to claim Nathan Cleary's NSW jersey with the Blues halfback set to miss State of Origin III with a shoulder injury.
Cleary's season remains in doubt after he was hurt early in NSW's series-defining win on Sunday night, carrying his shoulder for more than 70 minutes.
Penrith are not able to assess their star playmaker's injury until Wednesday, with the entire Blues squad still in isolation after returning from Queensland.
Early scans have not come back good for the 23-year-old, who awoke in serious pain on Monday morning leaving Panthers officials with real concerns.
It's believed the Panthers could push back any surgery until the end of the season, believing the Dally M leader can play through the pain.
But regardless, the injury is expected to cost Cleary a shot at sealing a series whitewash on July 14.
If Cleary is out, Moses would likely be the frontrunner for the Blues spot alongside South Sydney half Adam Reynolds.
Eight years into his NRL career, Moses is now finally developing into a more polished playmaker and keeping Parramatta well within the NRL's top four.
"You would like to think (I'm ready for Origin). If I wasn't ready by now I would be kidding myself I guess," Moses said.
"I just feel like I'm a bit more in control of my game at the moment.
"Just controlling the boys and getting them around the park and picking my times when to inject myself into games.
"I'm getting a good level in my game. When to run, when to kick and when to pass - that's probably where I have grown a bit more.
"It's clearly up to Freddy (NSW coach Brad Fittler) and where he goes and what direction he wants to go."
Moses' chance to push for a spot will come as soon as Friday night against the Cleary-less Panthers, after Fittler remained coy on a likely replacement.
Other options for NSW would include calling bench utility Jack Wighton into the starting side at five-eighth and move Jarome Luai to halfback.
Alternatively, Cody Walker would be another option at No.6 if Fittler wanted to move Luai into the No.7 role.
But working in Moses' favour is that he has played under Fittler before.
Moses ran out for Lebanon at the 2017 World Cup under Fittler who claimed the half was "designed for State of Origin" after their campaign.
"I got along with him really well. I loved playing underneath him," Moses said on Tuesday.
"He was massive for my game back then.
"He's a good operator and what he's done with the Blues this year, you can see the footy they are playing is unbelievable. They're on the same page."
