It seems everyone in NSW is convinced Braith Anasta will be the man to replace Greg Bird for next month's Origin decider - except the player himself.
Anasta, worn down by months of speculation over his Origin future, barely registered a response when informed the Blues needed a five-eighth to take on Queensland after Cronulla's Bird was injured in his side's win over Parramatta on Sunday.
After leading his team to victory against Newcastle on Sunday, Anasta said of his Origin prospects: "We'll see what happens."
"I didn't know he (Bird) was injured and I feel for him."
While Anasta was keen to play down the hype surrounding his likely recall to the Origin arena, plenty of others were willing to back his cause.
Newcastle and NSW skipper Danny Buderus received a first-hand look at the damage Anasta can wreak as the in-form No.6 put the boot into the Knights.
The pivot's kicking game was a key plank in the Roosters' 16-14 triumph.
"We tried to put pressure on Braith's kicking game but he's got a fair arsenal there," Buderus declared.
"He would be a pretty handy acquisition for NSW."
Roosters coach Brad Fittler backed both Anasta and rookie half-back Mitchell Pearce to get the job done if the Blues selectors opt for a club combination at the scrum-base.
"I would be rapt for Braith and 'Junior' (Pearce) if they got picked," Fittler said.
"I don't think our boys would do it an injustice. I think they'd do a fantastic job."
Bird went for scans on his injured knee on Monday afternoon and received better than expected news, even though he will still miss Origin III.
"Bird has a 'ruptured posterior capsule' and 'bone bruising' around the knee. Both the anterior and posterior ligaments are intact," the Sharks said in a statement.
"Sharks Dr David Givney will confer with NSW doctor Hugh Hazard regarding the injury."
"While the injury is projected to keep Bird off the field for a period of only two to three weeks, it is likely Bird will be unavailable for the up-coming State of Origin match."
Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart said Bird was doing it tough.
"He was pretty despondent as any player would be at this stage of the year when you are a representative player and your club team is going OK," he said
"Nobody wants to be missing out on football at this stage."