Luke Keary may have taken James Maloney's No.6 jersey at the Roosters, but he's in no rush to replace him at State of Origin level.

It's almost a year before the interstate series resumes, but already the speculation has begun about the make up of the NSW side. Changes will be afoot after the Blues' capitulation in the decider and there will likely be a new halves combination for 2018 after Mitchell Pearce failed to feature in a series win in his seventh attempt.

Keary has been in good touch for the Roosters since making the switch from arch rivals South Sydney and could be in the frame for selection next year. The premiership-winning pivot's eligibility has been a point of contention given he was born in Queensland and lived there until the age of 10. He even trained in a junior Maroons camp in 2012 but now considers himself a Blue and qualifies for the southern state under the eligibility laws.

While Keary could press his claims for an Origin debut if his impressive form continues, he believes he hasn't done enough to warrant selection.

"Obviously I want to play representative football and haven't had the chance to play at any level thus far," Keary said.

"I honestly believe you need two or three good quality seasons of footy and then you can stick your hand up for it.

"Last year I didn't play good footy. This year I've been OK. But you can't just have one season and stick your hand up.

"Cooper Cronk didn't come in until he was about 26 or 27. I honestly believe you've got to play good footy for a consistently long period of time and then you can start throwing your name up for stuff like that."

Maloney is the incumbent NSW five-eighth and, with Johnathan Thurston out of action due to injury, he is the favourite for the Kangaroos No.6 jersey for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. Australian coach Mal Meninga even picked Maloney in his inaugural Origin merit team despite outstanding interstate performances from Thurston and Cameron Munster, who didn't play the two games required to qualify.

Keary believes Maloney should be the NSW pivot until he retires.

"Maybe around that time next year, if I finish the year with some good footy this year and start with some good footy, play consistent through that period, you'd like to think you're a chance," he said

"With Jimmy there, I'm happy to just wait my time. He's probably the second-best five-eighth in the comp behind Thurston.

"He should be the NSW half until he retires, I reckon."

Of more immediate concern to Keary is Saturday's clash with North Queensland. The match is arguably the best of the round and will give both teams an indication of where they stand in the run into the finals.

While Pearce hasn't been able to make his mark in the Origin arena, he continues to perform at a consistently high level for the Roosters.

"He's a good fella, it's probably his best year of footy," Keary said.

"He's coming up with some big plays in big moments when we need them. He's just helped me so much to free my game up and play like a traditional No.6 role.

"I didn't know it was going to work like that when I came here, but it's been good."

Keary is into the first season of a two-year contract and is in no rush to stitch up a longer-term deal despite the successful transition to Bondi Junction.

"I probably want to go to French rugby," Keary quipped.

"After everything I've been through with Souths, I'm keeping an open mind. I don't want to lock myself into anything, don't want to say I want to or don't want to be somewhere."