Des Hasler has labelled suggestions Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah is the new frontrunner to wear the NSW No.7 jumper an 'insult' to Manly pivot Matt Orford.
Hasler's comments came directly after his side's 52-6 demolition of the Warriors on Monday night in which Orford was instrumental.
"About Farah, Robbie Farah, being mooted as a possible candidate for halfback in State of Origin, I think this fella sitting next to me here put his hand up well and truly (tonight)," Hasler said.
"And it's probably an insult to this bloke and a few of the other sevens running around."
Orford piled on 16 points, including an opportunistic first-half try, and played a pivotal role in several of the Sea Eagles' 10 four-pointers on the night.
But whether his performance was enough to earn a sky-blue jumper for the series opener on May 21 remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, the decision to move Jamie Lyon back out to the centres and insert veteran Steve Menzies at five-eighth proved a master stroke.
But Hasler would not rule out returning the Kangaroos and State of Origin centre back to the halves as the season progresses. despite the success of both men in their new positions.
"It (the improved attacking display with Menzies in the halves) doesn't mean Jamie Lyon's is not a five-eighth," Hasler insisted.
"It's just that we held the ball better and we ran the ball."
"And they're (Menzies and Lyon) two great ball carriers but it's about possession - that's the way the competition has gone so far."
Fullback Brett Stewart, who faces a battle of his own to reclaim his place in NSW side following the blistering return of Roosters star Anthony Minichiello, continued his staggering try-scoring feats at Brookvale with a stunning hat-trick.
The 23-year-old now boasts a return of 43 tries from the same number of matches at the famous venue.