Aaron Woods has been described by some as the game's form prop, but the NSW forward has no illusions about where the mantle belongs.
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"Matt Scott is the No.1 prop to me," Woods said.
"The way he plays is ridiculous, he just takes the ball up and never lets anyone down in his team.
"He carts it up hard and his defence is awesome. I try to see what he does and look for ways to improve my game to be like him.
"Not so much stats but the way he runs, how he carries the ball and the way he defends. You look at all those little things and if you can pick up anything, I know it will help my game."
When speaking on stage at the Wests Tigers season launch, Woods spoke in the most glowing terms about the regard in which he holds his Maroons counterpart.
The 24-year-old echoed those sentiments in the lead-up to the opening State of Origin clash. While it will only be his sixth in the sky-blue jersey, he is already playing a mentoring role in camp. One of Woods' closest friends is roommate David Klemmer, with a bond that was solidified during their time together as part of last year's Kangaroos Four Nations squad. The pair have been inseparable in the lead-up, either on the training paddock or battling away on PlayStation.
"He loves himself, loves his hair. He thinks he's the soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic. That's who he thinks he is on PSG, on Fifa," joked Klemmer about his fellow front-rower.
"I'd have to say he's one of my best mates, he's been in this arena before so he'll have a good yarn to me about what to expect.
"He's a champion bloke, we're very similar personalities. He's just a good, positive person to be around."
Woods, who has been averaging 186 metres a game this season, added: "He's awesome, one of the best blokes you'll meet. I got to room with him in the Four Nations and he's excited to get a crack, it's well deserved."
Woods said he had embraced a leadership role at club level and would seek to lead by example on and off the field.
"Last year on the Four Nations, they said I needed to show a bit of leadership there as well," he said.
"It's nothing new, I try to do it at the Tigers. If I can lead by example then hopefully the boys come."
Under coach Jason Taylor, the Tigers have been encouraged to follow a paleo-style diet and Woods has embraced the change.
"I have to watch what I eat and know that I've done everything in my prehab in the way I prepare for a game," Woods said.
"The way I prepare for every game, I probably won't have a beer.
"That way on Wednesday I know I've done everything I can and left no stone unturned.
"It's not like we've had a drinking ban, a few players like a drink and some don't. Each to themselves. I've tried to change up my diet a bit this year to eat healthy so I'll stick to that."
