Sydney Roosters hooker Reece Robson has acknowledged the significance of his upcoming match against Blayke Brailey and the Cronulla Sharks, stating it could be crucial for his selection in the opening game of the 2026 State of Origin series.
While Robson currently holds the position, his spot in Laurie Daley's lineup is not guaranteed, especially after the Blues fell short against Queensland last season.
Daley, facing pressure to improve results, is likely considering multiple adjustments for his team, with the hooker position being one of the most pivotal decisions.
Brailey, after an impressive 2025 season, was included in the Australian Kangaroos squad and has begun 2026 in excellent form.
As a standout player for Cronulla, Brailey has yet to make his Origin debut, but many analysts see him as a strong contender to replace Robson, who struggled early in his Roosters career following a dip in form during 2025.
Despite the competition, Robson remains determined to retain his Origin jersey and understands the importance of consistent performance leading up to the selection, still about six weeks away.
"This has been a good experience, the first part of this year to try and get my best foot forward ahead of Origin," Robson stated to the press.
"Blake's a great player and I've got a good chance to play him this weekend. But yeah, it just comes down to the footy at the moment and who's playing the best footy coming into that time of year."
"When you look at it that way, I guess it probably is something they [selectors] might look at. But again, there's a lot of games between the start of the season and Origin time."