Laurie Daley has defended his surprise decision to drop back-rower Haumole Olakau'atu for uncapped Dylan Lucas as the NSW coach downplayed fears over the fitness of five-eighth Mitchell Moses.
Daley was forced to announce a late change to his squad on Tuesday morning, with Canterbury skipper Stephen Crichton withdrawing from the Blues set-up for game two at the MCG on June 17 with a shoulder issue.
Crichton's place in the starting side was taken by Penrith youngster Casey McLean, who debuted in the series opener, with cross-code star Mark Nawaqanitawase brought onto the Blues' bench.
Sydney Roosters winger Nawaqanitawase was one of five fresh faces in the 19-man NSW side with Payne Haas, Api Koroisau and Moses all included.
But, arguably, the biggest selection shock was the omission of Manly wrecking ball Olakau'atu, who was dropped in favour of Newcastle's Lucas, after featuring in the side which clinched game one with a 22-20 win.
"It's difficult to have those chats, but you're just going to make the decision on what you think is in the best interest of the team," Daley said.
"We tried to see whether we could put him on the bench, but just the balance of the side and the balance of the bench with another back-rower, we felt like we needed a big man.
"It's one of those hard calls that you've got to make, he's a destructive back-rower, but unfortunately we want to give Dyl a run in this game and I'm sure that he'll play really well."
Lucas has never played Origin but will be expected to start and play 80 minutes against the Maroons in Melbourne as NSW look to wrap up the series with a game to spare.
Olakau'atu ran for 250m from 22 carries in his only game for Manly since game one and will remain part of the Blues' camp after being named in jersey No.20.
Isaiyah Katoa will also spend time with the Blues this week but is not part of the official squad.
The Dolphins halfback will act as an insurance policy for Moses, who has not played since he was ruled out of the series opener in Sydney with a hamstring strain.
Moses will play five-eighth alongside halfback Nathan Cleary and in an ideal world Daley doesn't envisage needing to call on Katoa.
The NSW coach said Katoa would return to the Dolphins for Friday night's game with the Roosters provided Moses got through the first few days of Blues training unscathed.
"We probably won't have [Moses] do all the sessions, but he'll need to be going at full clip," Daley said.
"He's on track to do that, and there's no issues as far as we're concerned.
"[Queensland]pressured us in game one, and with the kicking game we only had the one option [in Cleary]."
Moses' return has shifted Ethan Strange – the catalyst for NSW's game one turnaround – to the bench.
But Daley anticipates the Canberra maverick will still get on the field at the MCG.
"You'll see Ethan Strange play so it might be as a No.6, it might be somewhere else, I think we all know what Ethan can bring," Daley said.
"Ethan Strange is an Origin player, there's no denying that and his running game is as good as anyone in the competition."
NSW TEAM:
1. James Tedesco 2. Brian To'o 3. Casey McLean 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Tolu Koula 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Payne Haas 9. Reece Robson 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Hudson Young 12. Dylan Lucas* 13. Isaah Yeo (capt). Interchange: 14. Cameron Murray 15. Victor Radley 16. Addin Fonua-Blake 17. Api Koroisau 18. Ethan Strange 19. Mark Nawaqanitawase*. Reserve: 20. Haumole Olakau'atu.
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