Roosters back-rower Boyd Cordner wasn't content with a week's rest over representative round and is grateful to further build on his budding form for Craig Fitzgibbon's Country Origin outfit.
Cordner suffered a pectoral injury in February and missed the first seven weeks of the season much to his dismay.
He will now partner Origin hopeful Tyson Frizell and Dale Finucane in the back row – two men he's never played alongside in first grade previously.
Returning a fortnight ago for the Roosters' annual Anzac Day clash against the Dragons, Cordner's first game for Country since his one and only berth in 2013 will prove crucial in his journey back to full fitness.
"Obviously I'm happy and honoured to be selected to play for Country. It's a really exciting time for me. It's been hard being out for so long, so the more games I can get under my belt the better," Cordner told NRL.com.
"It sucks sitting on the sideline watching but to be back playing now and to pull on the Country jersey again, things are going well. Moving ahead through the season this weekend is only going to benefit me and my match fitness."
Cordner denied his Country opportunity was New South Wales coach Laurie Daley's ploy to help fast-track the incumbent Blues' return to good form however.
This despite, Cordner being the only member of Daley's Blues squad from Origin III last year that has been named to play in the annual City v Country clash on Sunday.
"I haven't heard from Laurie too much other than our catch-up meetings with the Blues. Our chats were always just about getting back from injury and playing some consistent footy so that's about as far as that went," Cordner said.
"I'm just happy to be back playing footy. I have a couple of games under my belt now and to be selected here is very good. No doubt I want to have a good game and push my claims for Origin again."
Cordner is ultimately motivated to put the dark days behind him and is now looking to reverse the Roosters' 2-7 start to the season.
"The hardest thing about being injured is having to watch [from the sideline] and biding your time. Though it did come around pretty quickly to tell you truth over the past month," Cordner said.
"The body is feeling good and the mind is fresh so I can't wait to keep playing some consistent footy."
