Penrith hooker Apisai Koroisau is poised to headline a raft of NSW changes for State of Origin II as coach Brad Fittler calls in fresh troops to stay in the series.
Fittler will confirm Koroisau as part of his 22-man squad on Sunday night, before naming in his 17 on Monday morning.
The recall comes 12 months after the Penrith hooker was threatened with a Blues ban for a COVID-19 breach, but at a time where NSW desperately want his spark out of dummy-half.
Manly lock Jack Trbojevic and Sydney Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton are also poised to return after being controversially overlooked for Game I.
Matt Burton is also expected to earn a debut playing at left centre in place of Jack Wighton, who has contracted COVID-19 and is out of the Perth clash.
Burton was Dally M Centre of the Year last season at Penrith, and was adamant when asked last week that he could easily switch back to the role if required by NSW.
The changes mean Parramatta forwards Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Ryan Matterson are both set to pay the price for the Blues' series-opening loss.
Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs is also likely to be dropped, with Stephen Crichton poised to be elevated from the bench to a starting spot at right centre next Sunday.
Siosifa Talakai also looms as a possible fifth new face, fighting with incumbent Tariq Sims for the final spot in the Blues' pack.
But it is Koroisau's selection that is the most significant after he was spotted being told by Penrith coaching staff of his selection.
NSW were beaten around the ruck in Game I in Sydney and desperately lacked the kind of spark Queensland produced off the bench in the form of Harry Grant.
Fittler has never previously named a specialist dummy-half on the bench in a live rubber during his four-and-a-half years as coach, but the Maroons game play in Sydney has clearly changed his thinking.
The Blues coach stopped short of confirming Koroisau's spot but confirmed he would be entering camp.
"(Koroisau) will be coming into the squad, he'll be coming to Perth," Fittler told the Nine Network's NRL Footy Show.
"He's great company, very competitive and a great player."
Fittler kept his cards close to his chest on whether Josh Addo-Carr would be recalled on the wing.
There had been some thought that Xavier Coates' absence would mean the Blues would overlook Daniel Tupou's height for Addo-Carr's speed.
However, after scoring five tries in the games since being snubbed for Origin II, the Canterbury winger has just 80 minutes against Wests Tigers on Sunday to convince Fittler to bring him back into the fold.
"I'll be out there watching the game. I can't wait," Fittler said.
