Matt Prior has described his State of Origin selection as a “dream come true”.
The Cronulla prop will become the fourth oldest player to make his debut for NSW when the Blues attempt to wrap up the series against Queensland in Sydney on Sunday night.
Prior, 31, beat out Gold Coast prop Ryan James and Dragons forward Tariq Sims to replace Reagan Campbell-Gillard in the Blues pack, with the Panthers front-rower ruled out with a broken jaw.
Having already won premierships with St George Illawarra and Cronulla, Prior is no stranger to big occasions. He helped the Sharks to their maiden title in 2016, a season where he was also named Cronulla’s joint player of the year alongside Andrew Fifita.
While he has at times struggled to receive the same plaudits playing in Cronulla’s star-studded forward pack alongside Fifita, Wade Graham, Luke Lewis and former NSW captain Paul Gallen, Prior has been rewarded for five seasons of consistency in the black, white and blue.
And when he runs out at ANZ Stadium, he is confident he won’t be overawed wearing the sky blue of NSW.
“It's awesome. I'm really looking forward to Sunday and I can't wait to rip in and get out there,” he said.
“It's a dream come true for me. I've been grinding away for the last three or four years just putting in every little bit of work that I could possibly do.
“There are not many boxes I haven't ticked… extras on my days off, just always believing that maybe one day I might get a chance [to represent NSW] and if I ever do I'd be ready.
“I've played in a couple of grand finals and they didn't make me too nervous so I think I'll be able to keep the nerves under control and just worry about the little things and focus on my job.”
NSW coach Brad Fittler said it was a tough decision but was confident in Prior’s ability.
“It was one of the harder things you've got to do as a coach but great reaction by both players,” Fittler said.
“I've been fans of both of those players for a long time and it was just one of those decisions you had to make and I wanted to get it away earlier rather than later.
“The similarities between Matt and Reagan Campbell-Gillard tipped us that way… and we don't have to change as much.
“Obviously Matt Prior, 31, playing his first game for New South Wales is incredibly exciting.”
Prior and Queensland winger Valentine Holmes are Cronulla’s only Origin representatives in game two.
The Sharks will also see Andrew Fifita (Tonga), Joseph Paulo (Samoa) and James Segeyaro (Papua New Guinea) represent their countries in the Pacific Test Invitationals at Campbelltown on Saturday night as part of the NRL’s stand-alone representative weekend.
Segeyaro will also captain the Kumuls.
Five Sharks contracted players in Aaron Gray, Blayke Brailey, Kyle Flanagan, Kurt Dillon and Scott Sorensen have also been chosen in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW Residents team to take on Queensland Residents as the curtain-raiser for Origin II.
Cronulla-Caringbah trip Corban McGregor, Talesha Quinn and Nita Maynard have been named in the NSW team for the women’s State of Origin match at North Sydney Oval on Friday.
Sharks teammate Quincy Dodd, 18, has been named 18th player for the Blues.
