North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi has moved into pole position for a Maroons call-up as the Cowboys continued their 2022 revival with a comeback win over Manly.
Taulagi was once again one of the most impressive Cowboys on Friday, contributing a one-handed offload for Connelly Lemuelu as part of their comeback from 26-12 down in the last 10 minutes to record a 28-26 victory.
It means the Cowboys maintain their stranglehold on third spot with Taulagi's hot form likely to lend itself to a Maroons debut when Billy Slater names his squad on Monday.
Taulagi was part of the extended Queensland squad for Origin I and is now the frontrunner to take the place of Xavier Coates on the plane to Perth.
"I haven't really spoken to Billy since the camp," Taulagi said.
"I'll see how we go when he names the team. I was grateful to be in the first camp and I'm still running off a high from it.
"It would mean everything to get that debut, to make my name, my family and the club proud.
"Coming away from the camp, the experience ... Billy said we weren't there for the experience but for the right reasons.
"He believed in us even though we didn't play. I'm still riding the high of that first game."
The field for the vacant Maroons' wing spot looks down to just two with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's concussion in the first half on Friday likely to mean it's a straight shootout between Taulagi and Corey Oates.
A hamstring injury has ruled Taulagi's Cowboys teammate Reuben Cotter out of the lock berth.
Scans on Cotter's hamstring revealed he's suffered a grade-three tear which will keep him out for three to five weeks.
But if Slater was to opt for Taulagi he would be handed one of the most devastating left edges in the competition.
Taulagi and centre Valentine Holmes have been unstoppable at times this year and while they have scored nine and six tries respectively, their combination play in attack continues to bear fruit.
"I have really looked up to him," Taulagi said.
"We trained the whole pre-season together and he's someone I'm learning from.
"I'm grateful that he's inside me and his experience is so valuable."
