BRETT Kimmorley is one good game away from clinching the NSW halfback spot for State of Origin I against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on May 23.

Kimmorley, who has returned to his best form for Cronulla under new coach Ricky Stuart this season, is set to be chosen for Country when the team is named on Sunday night for the game against City at Coffs Harbour next Friday.

It remains to be seen who the City selectors will pit against Kimmorley when they also name their team on Sunday, with Penrith's Craig Gower and Manly's Matt Orford the halfback contenders.

However, the Herald understands Orford's late bid may well be successful. Gower is likely to be included somewhere in the squad, but may have to be satisfied with a place on the bench.

Orford was injured playing for Manly in the opening round of the NRL and did not return until last Sunday, when he slipped straight back into gear in the 20-6 win over Gold Coast.

There is concern at both NSW and City level over the ordinary form of Gower for the Panthers. The way things stand now, Orford is the biggest threat to Kimmorley for the NSW spot - but the Cronulla man has the edge because he has been playing strongly on a consistent basis, while Orford is short of football.

Selection would complete a remarkable comeback at representative level for Kimmorley after he was dumped from the Blues side following game one of the 2005 series.

Kimmorley can make it a no-brainer by duplicating his recent club form for Country, while Orford - if chosen as City halfback - can put the heat on Noddy by outpointing him in that game.

Last year, City selectors named Orford at halfback, Gower at five-eighth and Braith Anasta, of the Sydney Roosters, at lock - even though Gower was effectively auditioning for the NSW halfback role and Anasta for NSW five-eighth.

Those selection decisions didn't help to make the NSW picture any clearer and they are unlikely to be repeated on Sunday. Anasta, whose form has gradually improved this season and has been particularly strong over the last couple of weeks, is expected to be chosen as City five-eighth.

NSW selectors are looking at Anasta and Manly's Jamie Lyon as five-eighth contenders, as well as a couple of youngsters in Canberra's Todd Carney and Newcastle's Jarrod Mullen.

Much depends on how strongly they view the contenders for the centres, where Lyon will be selected if he fails to make five-eighth. Anasta is favourite to pick up the No.6 jumper for the Blues at this stage.

Lyon, who began the season at five-eighth for Manly but was quickly switched to centre after Steve Matai was injured, is exempt from playing for Country because he played for Australia in the Test victory over New Zealand last Friday.

It would seem too early for the selectors to punt on Mullen, with even his club coach, Brian Smith, expressing doubts over his readiness. Despite selectors admitting they were watching him with interest, Smith said: "I think that would be a massive ask for that boy.

"On his talent level, yes - but in terms of his actual performance and future development, I'm not sure about that. It's a great compliment for him, but it's not a smart idea at this stage."

An even bigger logjam is developing in the forwards, with Willie Mason, Nathan Hindmarsh, Luke Bailey, Andrew Ryan, Steve Simpson and Anthony Tupou all exempt from the City-Country after playing in the Test.

Logic would suggest they would be picked for the first Origin clash. However, should the likes of Ben Creagh, Greg Bird, Reni Maitua, Ryan Hoffman, Anthony Laffranchi and Paul Gallen impress in the City-Country fixture, one or more may come under pressure.

That has given Simpson at least some nerves at not being able to put his best foot forward in the annual State of Origin trial next week.

"I guess if someone has a great game, there's not much you can do about it," Simpson said. "I just have to keep playing well for the club. Hopefully it'll be enough.

"That's the way it works now. It would be great to play for Country, but there's no point getting too upset about it."

Souths coach Jason Taylor, meanwhile, has thrown his support behind a call-up to the City side for winger Nathan Merritt.

Merritt has been one of the outstanding wingers in the competition so far, scoring six tries this season to add to his 22 last year. "I'd be really surprised if he doesn't make the City-Country," Taylor said. "He should be in the team."