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Cronulla NRL coach John Morris says Sharks prop Matt Prior deserves to be in the frame for a State of Origin recall.
John Morris has described Matt Prior as Cronulla's unsung hero and urged NSW coach Brad Fittler to consider him as a solution to his front-row headache.
With Blues prop David Klemmer (wrist) out and potential replacement Jordan McLean (hamstring) also sidelined, Fittler's big men stocks have taken a battering ahead of a must-win State of Origin game two in Perth next Sunday.
Penrith's Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Prior have been mentioned as potential solutions given they helped the Blues to last year's series win.
Broncos prop Matt Lodge is in line for a possible debut while Newcastle's Daniel Saifiti has been floated as a dark horse.
Asked about 32-year-old Prior's Origin prospects, Morris said: "He did a good job for them last year. He's been super consistent for us.
"If they're after someone who's just going to get the job done and compete really hard ... he's really good with his efforts, his energy particularly in defence, he won't won't take a backwards step.
Prior will on Thursday night return to the scene of his most memorable performance when the Sharks take on Canberra at GIO Stadium where he in 2016 he led his side to a gutsy qualifying finals win.
After losing Paul Gallen on game day and Wade Graham to a HIA after seven minutes, Prior stood up when it counted, running for 223-metres in a 73-minute effort.
Morris said most of Prior's work, especially in defence, went unnoticed and said he wouldn't let anyone down if handed another Blues jumper.
"He likes to set the tone with his line speed, he likes to get off the line pretty quick and he's always tying in on plays," Morris said.
"The last two weeks he's tied in on some kicks and breaks where they've thrown the ball back in-field. It could have been a break to the opposition but Matty Prior is there cleaning it up.
"It's pretty good for a front-rower to always be putting yourself in the picture and chasing after breaks and scrambling. All those little things, he probably doesn't get the raps for but it's in his game every week."
