NRL: Luck brushes off Origin snub

Micheal Luck is focusing on performing for the Warriors after missing out on Queensland's State of Origin squad. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Tackling machine Micheal Luck is focusing on continuing to put in top performances for the Warriors after being overlooked for Queensland's preliminary State of Origin squad.

The 27-year-old has failed to force his way into the 25-man squad despite becoming the first player in NRL history to crack the 70-tackle barrier against the Storm at the weekend.

Luck is philosophical about missing out. He says it would be his career highlight to put on a State of Origin jumper but if he worries about missing out on selection it will take his focus away from playing for the Warriors.

Queensland selectors have pointed out a player from outside the initial squad can still force their way into the playing 17 for Origin one on June 3.

Meanwhile, Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has kept Dragons coach Wayne Bennett guessing by naming a six-man bench for Sunday afternoon's NRL match in Wollongong.

Wade McKinnon has returned from injury to be named at fullback, dropping Lance Hohaia to an extended interchange that also includes Nathan Fien. It means Cleary is going to have to decide whether to carry two little men on his bench or go with just Hohaia or Fien.

Luck says it is a good dilemma to have. He says it is a different story to where they were a month ago where they had to bring young players on to the bench.

Luck says given the speed of the game with two referees, the option of both Hohaia and Fien on the interchange is not a bad one. He says all three back-rowers can play long stints and Ian Henderson can move there if Fien comes on to the field.

Dragons
Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Beau Scott, Matt Cooper, Wendell Sailor, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby (capt), Justin Poore, Dean Young, Michael Weyman, Matt Prior, Ben Creagh, Jeremy Smith.

Interchange: Dan Hunt, Neville Costigan, Jason Nightingale, Jarrod Saffy, Mathew Head (one to be omitted)

Warriors
Wade McKinnon, Denan Kemp, Simon Mannering, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Joel Moon, Stacey Jones, Jesse Royal, Ian Henderson, Steve Price (capt), Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Micheal Luck.

Interchange: Nathan Fien, Russell Packer, Lewis Brown, Patrick Ah Van, Lance Hohaia, Aidan Kirk (two to be omitted)

- NEWSTALK ZB