Many pundits expected him to be spending the week at Coffs Harbour rather than Cronulla, but Jack Bird believes Dylan Walker - the man who controversially beat him to the NSW utility role - "deserves to be there".
Bird was touted as a contender for a State of Origin berth after a strong start to the season, with most luminaries believing he could reprise the super sub role played by former Blues Craig Wing and Kurt Gidley. However, NSW coach Laurie Daley opted for Walker, who can play at pivot or at centre, instead in a surprise selection.
Bird, one of the form players in Cronulla's table-topping team, said he had no hard feelings over his omission.
"I didn't really expect to get chosen for the Blues," Bird said.
"Obviously I'm at the start of my career and it doesn't matter now. I'm still going to support the Blues either way.
"I played City-Country two years and obviously that's a stepping stone to making the State of Origin squad. I didn't make it this year and look, I'm only a young kid with plenty of years ahead of me.
"It's been a goal of mine since I was a little kid, I always wanted to play Origin. I've just got to focus on where I am now at Cronulla and try to make round two.
"This is the best I can do. I'm not upset, I don't feel let down or anything. All I can do is work hard."
Bird said the Blues had picked a strong side and predicted Walker would do a good job against the Maroons.
"He's [Laurie Daley] the coach, he knows what he is doing," Bird said.
"Dylan Walker is a good player, I think. He deserves to be there.
"All the boys deserve to be there if they are making State of Origin. There's not much more I can say, they're all good players if they're playing State of Origin."
At the start of the year it appeared Bird and his great mate, Sharks teammate Valentine Holmes, could be playing against each other in the interstate series. The winger, who tops the NRL try-scoring list alongside Anthony Milford with 10, was one of Maroons contenders banned for breaking curfew during an emerging Origin camp. With Origin only a week away, Holmes said it had hit home that he had cost himself a chance of an interstate debut.
"Yeah definitely," he said. "What do you say? It's a sliding doors sort of thing. Either way, it's a good thing, I've learnt from it. I might be a bit young, I'm not too sure how they go with that.
"I learn from it, get to stay nice and healthy for the Sharks and play my best footy for the Sharks this year.
"It's been a massive dream and goal of mine since I was young. Hopefully I can get my chance next year."
Holmes admitted the strong form of Corey Oates and Dane Gagai meant he wouldn't have been assured a place in coach Kevin Walters' team even if he was available.
"I'm coping with it and planning to play good for the Sharks," he said.
