NSW centre Stephen Crichton has welcomed the rest from a gruelling NRL campaign, insisting he'll be ready to prove his critics wrong and vindicate his selection in the State of Origin series opener.
The Canterbury captain has been battling a shoulder issue since Good Friday and has frequently had to undergo painkilling to get on the field for the Bulldogs during a season of struggle.
The strike centre's form has been questioned and Crichton has also been on restricted training duties in the lead-up to Origin I in Sydney on Wednesday.
"The body's good and I'm very excited for this week, and the opportunity to represent NSW again," Crichton told reporters on Monday, while sporting heavy padding on his right shoulder.
