Cook urges Blues not to forget about Walker

NSW and South Sydney hooker Damien Cook has urged selectors not to overlook the four-try heroics of Cody Walker believing the playmaker should be in the mix for the much-debated Blues five-eighth position.

Roosters rival Luke Keary has been mentioned as a clear frontrunner for James Maloney's spot in the halves if the out-of-form Panthers No.6 is overlooked by Brad Fittler for the opening game of the series.

Fittler has indicated loyalty will play a role in picking a Blues side out to achieve back-to-back series victories for the first time since 2005.

But the next month of the competition looms as a huge period for the trio, none more so than Maloney, who has produced a mixed bag alongside Nathan Cleary at Penrith to start the year.

Cook believes Walker's support play and instinctiveness are his major assets and something the Blues could utilise.

"I definitely think he's at that level and you saw in his efforts to start the season he can turn little efforts into something," Cook told NRL.com.

"That's what happens in Origin, they're close games for most of the series and you need individual brilliance.

"Last year it was Tedesco, and Cody Walker is very capable of doing that. If he was put in that arena I have no doubt he'd get the job done."

Walker's match-winning try against the Warriors with scores locked at 24-24 and only minutes remaining impressed Cook the most.

While the Rabbitohs set up for a field goal on the right, Cook and Walker linked on the left edge for the second time in as many minutes.

"He's always sniffing around the ball and pushing into holes. He's not afraid to act as a forward sometimes and try to poke his nose through the line," Cook said.

"If I jump out of hooker he tends to always be the player next to me ready for an offload or to be put through the opposition's defensive line.

"Sometimes I don't put him in the right position but it was good to be able to send him over for a couple of tries.

"It's no mistake why he scored four tries because he always puts himself in the right position. He's very competitive and deserves the credit for helping us win that game."

Cook's own performance was arguably his best of the season with a first half assist for Walker's second of the afternoon one for the highlight reels.

"It was nice, I've got to make sure the game is going how I want it to before I make those runs," he said.

"A few games haven't this year so I've had to make sure I'm doing my other roles as a hooker as well.

"I was just hoping he caught it because I could see Hiku coming up the middle and I knew Roger was on me.

"I just had to make sure the pass was on the money for him."