After gushing with pride over a State of Origin jersey he had all but given up on, Bulldogs prop Willie Mason admitted he had not ruled out turning his back on rugby league.

Mason capped off a remarkable reversal of fortune when he accepted only his second New South Wales jersey from rugby league greats at a special presentation to the Blues team in Sydney's CBD.

But just minutes after receiving his cherished sky blue jersey, Mason said his "long term goal" was to don the All Blacks colours.

"Yeah, rugby is (a long term goal) for sure. It's just speculation at the moment but they (New Zealand Rugby) were interested," he said.

"But I've got two years at the `Dogs so I can't get out of my contract or anything like that.

"I'm obligated to play there for two more years and I am happy there, hopefully this year we can go all the way."

Mason has played seven Tests but only tasted Origin for NSW once when picked for the Blues last year.

And Mason thought his representative days were over when no Bulldogs players were named in the Test squad earlier this year following the NRL club's Coffs Harbour scandal.

Mason was even told he was "on the nose" with selectors after being in the news for all the wrong reasons.

But he was given the benefit of the doubt by Country coach Ricky Stuart for the annual Origin selection clash against City on May 7 - and didn't look back.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP