The opportunity was there for Cody Walker to press for a berth in Origin III on Sunday night – but sadly he blew it.
Walker's hopes of a Blues call-up weren't helped by a rampaging Cowboys team, who thumped the Bunnies 31-6 on their own turf.
Walker can get frustrated and make errors when things don't go his way – and so it was at Accor Stadium.
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Walker missed five tackles, made three errors and gave away a penalty as the Cowboys dominated him.
It would be wrong to single out the star five-eighth – who has had a great season overall – for criticism.
His halves partner Lachlan Ilias also struggled, missing six tackles, two of which directly led to tries, and even skipper Cameron Murray missed four tackles and gave away two penalties.
Souths are clearly in the wars, losing four of their last five games and conceding 30 or more points on each occasion.
MALIGNED TITAN STANDS UP
With Tino Fa'asuamaleaui taking a rest after Origin, big David Fifita produced one of his special games as the Titans scored a massive upset over "big brother" Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.
Often criticsed for his lack of involvement over 80 minutes, Fifita proved the difference between the teams in a tight and at times controversial affair.
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The powerhouse backrower scored a fine try, laid on another and also came up with a line break and line break assist.
The win ended a turbulent week for the club in which it punted coach Justin Holbrook and was strongly linked with star utility Ben Hunt for 2024.
It was a brave move by stand-in coach Jim Lenihan to rest Fa'asuamaleaui but with Fifita rising to the occasion, it came up trumps.
BELLAMY UNEARTHS ANOTHER STAR
Craig Bellamy finds good young players like a magician pulls rabbits out of a hat and has come up with another beauty in rookie Jonah Pezet.
The 20-year-old filled Cameron Munster's big boots against the Sea Eagles on Saturday night and proved himself right up to the task.
Pezet, whose dad Troy played at halfback for South Queensland and Parramatta, scored a spectacular try and set up two with pinpoint kicks.
A former NSW under 19 representative, Pezet combined well with star halfback Jahrome Hughes and will be a handy back-up for the Purple People in the run-in to the finals.
PEACHEY WITH A POINT TO PROVE
The Tigers couldn't get rid of journeyman Tyrone Peachey quickly enough at the end of last season – but the veteran has resurrected his career at the Panthers.
With their Origin stars rested, the Panthers needed their second stringers to really stand up against a talented Newcastle team on Saturday night.
And Peachey and half Jack Cogger both answered the call with strong games in Penrith's 20-12 win.
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Playing in the centres, Peachey scored two tries and made several other dangerous runs.
For the second straight week, Cogger directed the team around the park well and is proving a fine replacement for the injured Nathan Cleary.
UNHERALDED EEL STEALING THE SHOW
Bailey Simonsson is one of the quiet achievers for Parramatta – but he's developing into a tryscoring weapon.
Simonsson has bagged seven tries in his last six games, including one in Saturday's 48-20 win over the Dolphins.
The tall centre also ran for nearly 200 metres, troubling the speedy Dolphins backline out wide.
Simonsson is the classic under-rated player – rival teams concentrate more on containing the like of Maika Sivo and Clint Gutherson out wide for the Eels and the former Raider is cashing in on his low profile with tries galore.
POWERHOUSE WARRIORS GETTING IT DONE
Having a powerhouse back three is proving one of the major ingredients behind the Warriors' charge to the finals this season.
The team from across the ditch is among the big improvers in 2023 and has already won three more games than in the entire 2022 season.
The back three of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Marcelo Montoya and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak were in superb touch in the 48-18 win over the Dragons in Wollongong.
It was the Warriors' biggest ever win against the hapless Dragons, with Watene-Zelezniak leading the way with four superb tries.
But his two mates at the back were almost prominent and the trio combined for a stunning 528 run metres, five tries, eight line breaks and 13 tackle breaks.
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