New South Wales has shown faith in Nathan Cleary by selecting the incumbent Blues half-back in its squad for next month's State of Origin series opener against Queensland in Brisbane.

Key points: Nathan Cleary will partner South Sydney's Cody Walker in the halves for the Blues

Nathan Cleary will partner South Sydney's Cody Walker in the halves for the Blues Walker is one of five debutants named by Blues coach Brad Fittler

Walker is one of five debutants named by Blues coach Brad Fittler The Blues won last year's series 2-1 against Queensland

Cleary was selected to face the Maroons despite his indifferent form for his struggling club side Penrith so far this season and he will partner debutant Cody Walker in the halves for the Blues.

The Blues named five players to make their Origin debut, with Walker's South Sydney teammate Cameron Murray, Raiders pair Nick Cotric and Jack Wighton, and Brisbane youngster Payne Haas also included.

Josh Morris, who has not played at the Origin level since 2016, makes a return to the Blues squad at age 32.

He will play alongside Sydney Roosters star Latrell Mitchell in the centres, with James Roberts — the other half of the Blues' successful centre pairing from last season — overlooked for selection.

Josh Morris will make his first Origin appearance for the Blues in three years. ( AAP: Dan Himbrechts )

With Mitchell Pearce (groin) and Luke Keary (concussion) ruled out, Cleary was named for what will be his second Origin series, after debuting for the Blues last year.

Cleary was picked ahead of the Rabbitohs' Adam Reynolds, who picked up a leg injury in his side's match against Wests Tigers on Saturday night, but was understood to be available for selection.

Blues coach Brad Fittler had intended to pick Cleary in the number seven jersey, however the form of Reynolds alongside Walker at the Rabbitohs had created a selection headache.

But Cleary's commanding performance in the Panthers' 16-10 win over Paramatta last Thursday night was enough to convince Fittler he was ready for Origin.

"It was hard not to look at the South combination and how well they've been playing," Fittler said.

"What Nathan did on Thursday night was an awesome effort considering what Penrith are going through."

Fittler backing Walker to shine

Fittler has been impressed by Walker's 2019 season and he said he was confident the Rabbitoh's style of game was ideal for the pressure of Origin.

"He (Walker) looks calm on the field and I like that, he's aggressive too," he said.

"He doesn't mind mixing it up, which is something he's going to need."

Cody Walker is one of five debutants named by Blues selectors. ( AAP: Dave Hunt )

The Roosters' Angus Crichton, who debuted last year for the Blues, edged out St George Illawarra's Tariq Sims for a spot on the bench.

There are expected to be question marks over the fitness of Tyson Frizell, the Dragon under an injury cloud after being knocked out in a sickening head clash with Josh Dugan during his side's match against Cronulla on Sunday.

The Blues will be captained by Boyd Cordner and includes 11 players from the squad that won last year's series.

Queensland will name its squad on Monday morning, with State of Origin I to be played at Lang Park in Brisbane on June 5.

Game two will be played in Perth on June 23, with the final match of the series set for Sydney's Olympic stadium on July 10.

New South Wales squad: James Tedesco, Nick Cotric, Latrell Mitchell, Josh Morris, Josh Addo-Carr, Cody Walker, Nathan Cleary, Jake Trbojevic, Tyson Frizell, Boyd Cordner (c), Paul Vaughan, Damien Cook, David Klemmer

Interchange: Jack Wighton, Payne Haas, Cameron Murray, Angus Crichton

ABC/AAP