Brad Fittler is confident Cody Walker can handle the weight of expectation as NSW look to the South Sydney five-eighth to spark their stuttering attack.
Walker was a surprise recall to the Blues set-up for his first NSW game since 2020 for next Wednesday's dead rubber at Accor Stadium.
The Blues coach has turned to Walker to bolster an attack that has struggled to match Queensland in the opening two games.
Fittler believes the No. 6 will not be drawn into the Maroons' attempts to wind him up, insisting Walker can provide the Blues with a focused impetus with the ball in hand.
"There'll be pressure in the game at some time but he deals with that well at his club," Fittler said.
"This will be different, he's got different teammates and he hasn't had the chance to work with them as much.
"But there's nobody better at doing what he does, so I look forward to it.
"He's not intimidated, he's not overwhelmed."
Walker, 33, has one win in four State of Origin games, all of which have come under Fittler.
The Souths playmaker thought his time in a NSW jumper had passed him by despite his sparkling form over the last four seasons, yielding 95 try assists.
As well as the razzle-dazzle stuff, Fittler has also noticed a change in Walker since he was thrust into being the Rabbitohs' leading playmaker with the emergence of Lachlan Ilias in first grade.
"They haven't gone that far backwards and they're doing a pretty good job and they've been without Latrell Mitchell in two of the last three semi-final series," Fittler said.
"He carries a lot of weight with his club and a lot of pressure.
"I'm sure they're trying to find that next level at Souths and he's got a good opportunity to find that here."
Walker hasn't played with Mitchell Moses before but Fittler likes the fact both players can keep defences honest.
The veteran playmaker is one of four Rabbitohs players - along with Damien Cook, Cameron Murray and Keaon Koloamatangi - in the NSW side.
Fittler had relied on Penrith's combinations over the last few series but said turning to Souths players was a needed change.
"If you do the same thing expecting different results is the definition of insanity," Fittler added.
