QUEENSLAND built an Origin dynasty on a five-eighth named Lewis and now NSW selectors are preparing to follow their lead and hand the Blues No. 6 jersey to the King's namesake.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that in-form Penrith Mr Fix-It Luke Lewis has bolted into contention for the NSW five-eighth spot - a position most considered a two-horse race between Canberra's Terry Campese and Newcastle's Jarrod Mullen.
After enjoying a stranglehold on the jersey for much of this year, Campese now requires a massive performance against the Warriors this Sunday to make his Origin debut.
Panthers centre Michael Jennings also needs an 11th-hour form boom after cruelling his chances with two missed tackles on Cronulla's Ben Pomeroy last weekend.
Campese's deteriorating form for the 14th-placed Green Machine has seen the Raiders pivot slump to third in line behind Mullen and now Lewis, who had been primarily viewed as a bench utility.
But senior figures in the NSW camp now believe Lewis has the all-round game to complement former Panthers teammate Peter Wallace at halfback.
The Dally M medal co-leader's 100kg presence is a major feather in his cap, with the Blues' brains trust mindful of shutting down Queensland playmaking talismen Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston.
Given he was chosen as 18th man for Australia in the Anzac Test, Lewis is all but assured of state selection despite the fact he didn't feature in the City-Country trial two weeks ago.
With Craig Wing now favoured to fill the bench spot because of the Rabbitoh's ability to cover for hooker, a place must be found for Lewis.
In his favour over Mullen, Lewis will also have an extra 80 minutes to impress this weekend. The NSW team will be chosen before Newcastle's clash against North Queensland on Monday night, meaning that Mullen can do no more to push his claims.
Knights winger James McManus - fighting for a spot against David Williams, Jarryd Hayne and Joel Monaghan - is in the same boat, along with Cowboys back-row enforcer Luke O'Donnell.
NSW chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy last night said the unusual Monday night gathering came at the request of Blues coach Craig Bellamy, who wants the entire team in Melbourne for camp the following morning.
"Had we waited until Tuesday to name the team like we usually do, they wouldn't have gotten to Melbourne until Wednesday," McCarthy said. "It was one of the changes Craig wanted."
McCarthy acknowledged the panel would have no choice but to take into account form from this weekend, putting Mullen, McManus and O'Donnell at a slight disadvantage. "But we've watched every game over the first nine weeks and you could say the team is 95 per cent settled," he added.
