Tino, Pat lock horns for No.13

QUEENSLAND coach Billy Slater has declared the Maroons No.13 jumper up for grabs as Pat Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui brace for an Origin audition in Friday night’s Broncos-Titans derby.

Carrigan has assured Slater he is ready for a Queensland debut and he can send an emphatic message to the Maroons coach by outpointing Origin incumbent Fa’asuamaleaui in the M1 derby at Suncorp Stadium.

Fa’asuamaleaui featured in all three games for the Maroons last season – starting at lock in two matches – and he has been touted as a future Queensland Origin captain, having ascended to the Titans leadership post at age 22.

But Carrigan is breathing down Big Tino’s neck after a barnstorming return from two knee injuries, with his workrate and second-phase football underpinning Brisbane’s surge to five consecutive wins.

“I will back myself if I’m picked for Queensland. I would love to have a crack at it (Origin),” Carrigan said ahead of his forward battle with Fa’asuamaleaui.

“It will be a good test coming up against Tino. He is a good mate of mine, he is a good 13 and a quality player.”