NSW debutant Cameron Murray has doused rumours that he could be promoted into the Blues starting side at the expense of Jake Trbojevic.
Speculation rose in recent days that Murray may run out at lock despite being named on the bench in jersey 16 for next Wednesday's State of Origin opener at Suncorp Stadium.
Murray's relationships with Rabbitohs teammates Damien Cook and Cody Walker are apparently the motive for a potential reshuffle.
That would push Trbojevic into the interchange role he's occupied with aplomb in five of his six Origin matches.
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While the collected Murray, 21, would not be overawed by the challenge, he believes Trbojevic deserves to be out there for kick-off given his strong Origin performances in the past.
"If it happens, if I starts, I'll be happy. I'm happy to be in any position in this side," said Murray, who also looms as a back-up hooker option.
"But I don't think it's going to happen. Jake's earned that number 13 jumper and he's a helluva player there."
Murray has been a revelation for South Sydney and is arguably the competition's form lock forward, averaging 134 metres, 11 carries and 33 tackles per game this year.
But the humble youngster still looks up to the established Trbojevic and is keen to absorb as many tips as he can from the five-time Australian representative.
"I'm really looking forward to learning off him and seeing what he can do," Murray said of the 25-year-old with the axe-like tackling technique.
"Obviously he's got a pretty good track record in the Origin arena and I'll be looking to calm my nerves a little bit knowing that quiet confidence that he's on my side, because he's a really good player.
"And as a younger player in the squad who hasn't experienced State of Origin, like I said before I'm looking to learn as much as I can off the players in my side.
"There's a pretty great calibre of players in the side and coaching staff as well. I'm pretty lucky to be in the position I'm in now."
Captain Boyd Cordner has inspired Murray to make a statement through his performances on the field.
"I think Boyd said his leadership – he leads by his actions and he's always trying to get that little bit better every day," Murray said.
"I think that's really important and is something I can take on board too.
"It's that quiet leadership of a lot of the boys that I can take away from my time here."