3 minute read
He's the hot favourite to win a State of Origin debut for NSW next month, but Sydney Roosters star Luke Keary says he's focused only on his NRL club form.
He's the most influential half in the NRL, piloting the Sydney Roosters to 2018 premiership glory and to the top of the ladder in 2019 with eight straight wins.
But Luke Keary is taking nothing for granted. He's ignoring the outside noise as he closes in on a dream State of Origin debut for NSW next month.
Even if the smirk on his face suggests he knows he's hot favourite to wear the No.6 or No.7 jumper for the Blues' series opener against Queensland on June 5, Keary is refusing to let on.
"It's head down for me at the moment," Keary told Fox Sports' NRL 360.
"There's still a while to go. For that stuff to happen, everything's got to fall into place for you.
"You've got to be in good form, (have no) injuries.
"It's good that everyone talks about it but it's not really for me."
The Clive Churchill Medallist in the Roosters' grand final triumph over Melbourne last October, Keary has clearly carried that form over into 2019.
But it only takes a quick check of the Dally M leaderboard to know why the 27-year-old has fair reason not to be counting his chooks just yet.
He trails fellow Blues halves options Cody Walker, Chad Townsend, Mitchell Moses, Mitchell Pearce and Adam Reynolds after nine rounds and knows Blues coach Brad Fittler is spoilt for options.
"I've seen Freddie (Fittler) at a couple of games and we've just spoken about footy. Nothing about Origin," Keary said.
"I think they (the selectors) understand too. You've got to keep your head down. We've got a job to do for our club first and then, after we get that done, if you get picked for your state, you go do that.
"But your club comes first at the moment."
If he does get the nod, Keary doesn't mind whether he debuts for NSW at five-eighth or halfback.
"No preferences. I've played zero games. My preference would be just to get a Blues jersey at the moment," he said.
"I'd play anywhere for them and it's still a couple of weeks off. I don't want to be standing here saying I've got a preference about anything other than trying to get a jersey."
