INDIGENOUS All Stars coach Laurie Daley believes Canberra prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs should be ''one of the first front-rowers picked'' for NSW after his performance on Saturday night.

Daley rated Learoyd-Lahrs his best forward in his side's 36-28 loss to the NRL All Stars, and was particularly impressed with the Raiders giant's early season fitness and workrate. Learoyd-Lahrs was a standout for Country against City last year, but a fractured cheekbone and eye socket quashed his Origin hopes.

Daley, who stepped down as a NSW selector after the 2010 series, insists the 26-year-old deserves to regain his Blues jersey this season. ''I thought he was excellent, I think he's primed for a big season and he'd certainly be in my NSW team,'' Daley said yesterday. ''He was disappointed with his season last year, but if he didn't get injured [in City-Country] he would have been in the NSW team and will be one of the first front-rowers picked. He's a dynamic player and I thought he was our most dominant forward out there.''

Learoyd-Lahrs has played four Origins, the most recent off the bench in the 2010 series opener. Injuries, including a season-ending pectoral injury in round 17, restricted him to just 12 appearances for the Raiders last year.

Learoyd-Lahrs has expressed his frustration at his performances last season, and has attacked pre-season training like a man with a point to prove. ''It's always difficult when you're not living up to your own expectations, but he looks in terrific shape,'' Daley said. ''When I took him off he was angry about that, so that's always a good sign. He's one of those guys you enjoy being around because he works so hard.

''I was really happy with his little efforts. We can talk about his running and tackling and the sheer size of him, but he got around the ground really well,'' Daley said.