Rabbitohs skipper Greg Inglis is ready for the honour and challenge of the Queensland captaincy, should he get the call up to replace Cameron Smith in the role.
Speaking after his side's one point win over the Cowboys on Saturday night, Inglis said that while his focus was on the Rabbitohs, he would be honoured to captain his state.
"I just put my hand up, I want to lead this side first and foremost," Inglis said.
"If the captaincy does come around it's a great honour individually. There have been great captains there in the past, Cameron Smith has been there for a long time and before that [Darren Lockyer].
"I think that just comes down to where I learnt my leadership from, pretty much those two in that arena."
Rabbitohs coach Anthony Seibold, who is also an assistant to Queensland coach Kevin Walters, said he would support the decision to make Inglis captain.
"I'd endorse Greg to be the captain of the team, Kevvy and the selectors will make the right decision and I don't want to add to the commentary but everyone knows what I think of Greg," Seibold said.
Greg Inglis on the Maroons captaincy
"He's the captain of our club, he's a terrific leader he's been a great help to me in my first year as a head coach, I'm really fortunate to have Greg as the captain.
"I would certainly endorse him 100 per cent – I'd love to see him lead his state."
Inglis was also sympathetic to the potential knee injury of his Maroons teammate Matthew Scott, who left the field after an awkward tackle.
The pair are close friends and Inglis is hopeful he'll be available for the State of Origin opener.
"Both for Queensland and Cowboys, he's a very important to both sides and hopefully he doesn't sit on the sideline for too long," Inglis said.
"Thumper and I are really good mates, best mates, and when I saw him go down I was fingers crossed and praying it wasn't an ACL.
"It is a horrific injury to come back from, hopefully it's not too serious and he's not out for too long."
