STATE of Origin is just three weeks away and there’s a number of bolters pressing claims for state spots.

And there’s a twist in Russell Packer’s Wests Tigers deal which could be the carrot that lures him away from Wollongong.

Fox Sports’ chief NRL reporter James Hooper brings you all the big-ticket items in rugby league every week in his column, The Mail.

WALTERS STAYS LOYAL TO MYLES

You can’t help but respect and admire the way the Queensland Maroons do business.

By his own admission at the start of this season, Nate Myles form for the Manly Sea Eagles last year was “s*^%house”.

Since then Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett has opted to rest him from some matches and it’s obvious the rigours of playing 228 NRL matches over 13 seasons in the toughest position on the field has taken a toll on Myles.

Irrespective, Queensland Maroons coach Kevin Walters will still be picking him for State of Origin I.

Nate Myles of the Sea Eagles in action. Source: Getty Images

Like Ron McAuliffe pulling Arthur Beetson out of the Parramatta Eels reserve grade team in 1980 when State of Origin was born, Walters knows Myles is purpose-built for the interstate cauldron. Especially considering the Maroons intend to blood an Origin rookie in Sydney Roosters firebrand Dylan Napa in the front row.

With Myles alongside him, the Old Bull can step in if the Young Bull needs some guidance.

By selecting Myles, the Maroons will push his name further up the Hall of Fame list in terms of most matches played for Queensland.

For Origin I, he’ll go past the “King” Wally Lewis and equal Mal Meninga on 32 games.

It’s an elite list headed by Cameron Smith (39), Darren Lockyer (36), Johnathan Thurston (36), Allan Langer (34), Petero Civoniceva (33), Meninga (32), Lewis (31), Myles (31) and Inglis (30).

It explains everything about why Myles will be one of the first forwards Walters picks.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters. Picture: Darren England. Source: News Corp Australia

BLUES BACKLINE TAKES SHAPE

The NSW State of Origin side is also all but selected and provided Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce holds his form then the No. 7 jumper looks certain to go his way.

Pearce gets the perfect opportunity to once-again underline his maturity when the Roosters host the Parramatta Eels on Sunday.

Opposite Eels halfback Corey Norman, it’s the perfect audition.

The only thing counting against Pearce is his record at Suncorp Stadium in State of Origin.

He’s none from six starts at the venue and copped a verbal hammering from Johnathan Thurston during his last visit in game three of 2015.

Mitchell Pearce is firming for the Blues No. 7 jumper. Source: Getty Images

Irrespective, if Pearce holds his form, he’s in the box seat to be named the Blues No.7.

Matt Moylan is still an outside chance to partner James Maloney in the halves but Pearce is clearly in front.

Jarryd Hayne is expected to be named left centre with ‘Turbo’ Tom Trbojevic on the left wing.

And Josh Dugan will be picked at right centre despite undergoing surgery earlier this week.

Blake Ferguson will be named on the right wing after a brilliant performance for the Kangaroos last Friday night.

Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover are joined by Kieran Foran’s manager Sam Ayoub to discuss his move and the fallout for the Bulldogs and Warriors.

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PACKER’S SIGNING TWIST

There’s almost one million reasons why Wests Tigers are favoured to win Kiwi Test enforcer Russell Packer’s signature over the St George Illawarra Dragons.

The Tigers have tabled a four-year offer, meaning their total package is close to $1 million in front of the Dragons’ three-year deal.

As much as Packer feels a huge debt of gratitude to Dragons CEO Peter Doust for helping him avoid being deported back to New Zealand, money also talks all languages.

Russell Packer is being eyed off by the Tigers. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

It would be a massive call for the Kiwi Test forward to knock back the Tigers.

Tigers coach Ivan Cleary also enjoys a strong rapport with Packer and the club has signed his best mate Ben Matulino for next season.

The bleeding hearts suggesting the Tigers should not sign Packer because of his criminal conviction are deluded. Packer has served his punishment. He did 12 months in jail.

PANTHERS HOSE VIDEO SESSION

There’s all sorts of rumblings coming out of the Panthers after the club’s horror start to the season.

Touted as premiership favourites, the Panthers have struggled for the past month.

After the club’s most recent loss to the Broncos, we were told coach Anthony Griffin apparently called a snap video session at the team hotel after midnight.

Griffin has since corrected us and told us this was wrong.

The Panthers playing group did however all enjoy a beer at the team hotel. Let’s see what Saturday’s match against the Warriors will produce.

TEDDY, TAYLOR TO REUNITE

Plenty of people at the Wests Tigers were sniggering when Jason Taylor was appointed assistant coach at the Sydney Roosters.

During one match last season, someone very close to Tedesco let it be known in no uncertain terms how the Wests Tigers fullback was no fan of Taylor.

With Taylor returning to the Tricolours as the club’s attack coach, they will need to quickly strike up a working relationship next season.

Ex-Tigers coach Jason Taylor has rejoined the Roosters. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

KIWIS GO BACK TO THE FUTURE?

With Jesse Bromwich dumped as the Kiwis captain for the World Cup, look for experienced Test match forwards Adam Blair or Simon Mannering to be named the new captain.

BILLY’S BIG CALL

Champion Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater is expected to make a call on his playing future once he learns how his body copes with the rigours of a return to State of Origin football.

One player taking a keen interest in Slater’s decision to play on will be Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster. The young gun has told the club he prefers playing fullback to five-eighth.

If Billy plays on for another season, it will mean Munster has to continue wearing the No. 6 jumper.

Slater is closing in on joining the elite 300 NRL match club, with the champion fullback currently sitting on 285 NRL matches.