Wests Tigers prop Keith Galloway will stake an early claim for the NSW jumper injury deprived him of last season when he lines up against the two men who benefited most from his absence against Manly on Monday night.

While all eyes will be on Tigers recruit Lote Tuqiri in his first game in the NRL in more than seven years, Galloway is desperate to grab some attention of his own.

The hulking red-head seemed destined to don the sky blue in last year's campaign following a strong start to the year before a knee injury put paid to any representative ambitions.

Instead Blues selectors turned to Brent Kite and Josh Perry for the State of Origin series - the Sea Eagles duo who will be doing their best to nullify Galloway at the Sydney Football Stadium on Monday night.

"They're very good and experienced props - it'll be a good test for me," Galloway said of the Manly engine room.

As for the disappointment of missing out on an Origin jumper, Galloway took it as a positive that he was even mentioned in selection circles and claimed his chances this year could be determined as much by the Tigers' form as his own.

"I just hope as a club that we're playing good football because if we're playing good football then the players stand out a bit more if you're in a winning side," Galloway said.

"There's a lot of guys in this side that are pushing for rep honours.

"It was disappointing not to be available to be chosen - I don't know if I was going to get chosen or not but it gave me a bit of confidence that I was in with a chance of making the team.

"This year fingers crossed no injuries happen and I'll play good football and hopefully the rewards come."

Galloway will join Tuqiri in playing his 100th game in the NRL on Monday night, the latter admitting earlier this week that he thought he'd never reach triple figures after switching to rugby union after the 2002 season.

A final decision on whether Tuqiri will take on the Sea Eagles will not be made until game day, with the dual international still finding his feet after returning to Australia from London on Wednesday.

Whether Tuqiri takes on the Sea Eagles or not, Galloway is adamant the 30-year-old will be a sensation in the gold, black and white.

"It's awesome - he's a great player, he's played for Australia in both codes - it's great for the club," Galloway said.

"I'm sure he's going to be unreal for us - I don't know if it will be this week or he'll take a few weeks to settle in for us but he'll be good for us one way or another."

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