Duncan has been in fantastic touch for South Sydney in recent weeks.\u00a0 (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer\u00a0)<\/p>\n
The South Sydney backline might be an unusual place to find the answer to Australia's second-row shortage for this year's World Cup but regardless of position the form of Rabbitohs tyro Tallis Duncan is fast becoming impossible to deny.<\/p>\n
Of the backrowers who played in this year's Origin series only Liam Martin can be considered an automatic selection for Kevin Walters's squad.<\/p>\n
Hudson Young and Dylan Lucas are both out with injuries, Haumole Olakau'atu will represent Tonga, Briton Nikora is already tied to New Zealand and Angus Crichton's status is uncertain amid his impending move to rugby.<\/p>\n
Duncan has improved out of sight in the past 12 months.\u00a0 (Getty Images: Mark Metcalfe\u00a0)<\/p>\n
Duncan would have to beat out the likes of Canterbury's Jacob Preston and Warriors veteran Kurt Capewell, and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, David Fifita and Heilum Luki will all be in the mix if they don't opt to represent Tonga and Samoa respectively, but the door is open for him to claim his first taste of higher honours.<\/p>\n
The 24-year old has been a rare constant for South Sydney in a helter-skelter season, impressing at second row and in recent weeks at centre.<\/p>\n
His effort against Canterbury last week, where Duncan scored a try, threw the final pass for another and ran for 182 metres from 23 carries, has become typical fare and with the Rabbitohs hitting form at just the right time, a strong finish to the season could well propel Duncan into a green and gold jersey.<\/p>\n
Liam Martin and Hudson Young don't like to point fingers unless it comes time to decide which of the New South Wales backrowers is madder.<\/p>\n
"It's definitely something I've dreamed about my whole life. I haven't spoken about it too much publicly, that's not really the type I am," Duncan said.<\/p>\n
"But that's a dream and if I was able to achieve that dream it would mean everything to me and my family. That's all I have to say about it now."<\/p>\n
Injuries have forced Duncan to spend the last month at centre and while he's still just filling in out wide, that versatility would make him all the more valuable as part of Australia's squad.<\/p>\n
That time out wide is only temporary but his success there is proof of Duncan's growing maturity.<\/p>\n
He's improved out of sight compared to this time last year by leaning on the experience of players like Jack Wighton and the injured Latrell Mitchell, who have both played centre for New South Wales and Australia.<\/p>\n
"I'm a second-rower, but being able to help the team in any way, I'll always put my hand up for that," Duncan said.<\/p>\n