Josh Morris won’t answer a second SOS call from NSW coach Brad Fittler, ruling out any return to State of Origin for this year.
Morris has been one of the form centres of the NRL in 2020, scoring eight tries for the Sydney Roosters since making the switch from Cronulla in round three.
The 34-year-old came out of representative retirement last year to play for NSW, and on form alone another call up wouldn’t be out of the question.
The Blues have potential issues at centre with Latrell Mitchell injured and Tom Trbojevic coming in cold, with just 62 minutes of football in four-and-a-half months.
Jack Wighton will likely be a certain starter, while Fittler could opt for an Origin rookie Kotoni Staggs if he doesn’t gamble on Trbojevic.
But regardless, Morris said he had no interest in staying in the NRL’s bubble to make a second comeback for NSW.
“I’m over this bubble, I can’t wait to get out of it and see my extended family and catch up with mates.
“I’ve had my time in the Origin arena, I really enjoyed last year.
“I think there are plenty of young fellas now coming up who deserve their chance. I’m looking forward to seeing how they go too.”
Morris and his twin brother Brett expect to have their future formalised soon at the Roosters, with one final swan song together in 2021.
He insists being put in another COVID bubble won’t stop that from happening, but is one of several players to raise the importance of being granted freedom over the off-season.
Players are now on the verge of five months of living with heavy restrictions, with at least 240 of them to earn a reprieve next week when the regular season ends and their teams are eliminated.
A point Morris said is crucial for the mental wellbeing of players.
“A lot of these fellas have extended families they haven’t seen for a very long time,” he said.
“I really feel for the young fellas who live away from their families, or the single fellas not being able to have that interaction with people.
“I have a young family, and it’s really helped me.
“My wife has been a great support, being able to get home and see my kids every day has made it a little bit normal for myself.
“But there are those young fellas and kids who live away from home and their families. We’ve just got to check in with them as much as possible.”
