St George Illawarra rake Cameron McInnes has hosed down his individual duel with fellow State of Origin hopeful Damien Cook this weekend.

McInnes and Cook are locked in a two-man battle for the New South Wales dummy half role with new coach Brad Fittler sure to keep a close eye on the encounter at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

“Cooky’s playing well and doing a good job for them but my job as the hooker for my team is to get the boys going forward,” McInnes said.

“It’s not a one-on-one battle or anything like that. As much as people may try to make it that way, it’s not how the game works.

Hooker Cameron McInnes talks through his sin-binning and ridiculous try following our 40-20 win over the Sharks #redv pic.twitter.com/C0HzwrKHoz

— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) April 13, 2018

“At the end of the day what I do isn’t affected by the opposition

“He’s playing well and that’s good for him. I’ve played Souths that many times now through Charity Shield and things like that it’s just another game in all honesty. 

“I’ve got good mates over there obviously but I’ve got good mates at the Warriors, the Tigers, everywhere now.

“This is my home here at the Dragons and I’m just going to go out there and try and do my best for the boys.”

Damien Cook is tonight's Man of the Match. Well done! #9NRLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/MZ9LBflW82

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) April 12, 2018

McInnes left the Rabbitohs at the end of last year with the pair eyeing the vacant spot left by Titan and another former Rabbitoh – Nathan Peats.

Souths and the Dragons kicks of at 2pm.

Catch Curtis Woodward and The81stMinute Call Team this Saturday from 1pm on steelesports.com.au for Mounties against the Jets!