Terry Campese's 2010 representative hopes are fading, after NSW Country selector Jock Colley rated the Raiders playmaker an ''outsider'' to retain the No6 jersey yesterday.
Colley all-but guaranteed Raiders fullback Josh Dugan would be selected in the Country team to take on City at Port Macquarie on May 7.
He also revealed Raiders forwards Alan Tongue, Dane Tilse and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs would be considered when the Country selection panel meets in Sydney on Saturday.
But Campese's chances of taking part in the annual NSW State of Origin trial have plummeted, with Colley confirming former Raider Todd Carney and Bulldogs veteran Brett Kimmorley were likely to be Country's halves pairing.
Campese represented Country last season, before going on to make his NSW debut in Origin I.
He was dropped after the Blues' loss and has been in the representative wilderness since.
That is likely to continue, with NSW coach Craig Bellamy understood to be keen to see how Roosters star Carney and incumbent halfback Kimmorley gel together.
''I wouldn't rule Campese out totally,'' Colley told The Canberra Times. ''But there's a bit of a push for Carney to play at five-eighth and if that's the case Campo will most probably miss out.
''Campese isn't out of contention, but he's an outsider.
''It depends what they do with the halves and his form I don't think is as strong as it was last year.''
The City and Country teams will be announced on Sunday night, just minutes after Australian coach Tim Sheens names his team to take on New Zealand in a one-off Test in Melbourne on May 7.
For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.
