Hodkinson and Reynolds will be joined by Canterbury team-mates Tony Williams and Josh Morris in a vastly different team to the one Daley had pencilled in two weeks ago after the loss of forwards Boyd Cordner, Greg Bird and Andrew Fifita due to injury and suspension. The Blues' likely lineup. Cordner was due to visit a specialist late on Monday and NSW officials are hoping the Roosters second-rower isn’t ruled out for the entire Origin series after suffering an ankle injury in Saturday night’s loss to North Queensland in Townsville. The loss of the Test back-rower confirmed the end of Pearce’s hold on the NSW No.7 jersey for the past 11 Origins as Daley believed that if he dropped the Roosters halfback for breaching a vow by Blues players to act more professionally, he would also have to axe Cordner as he was with him throughout the long drinking session and received a $5000 fine for breaching club and NRL standards. However, the injury put paid to thoughts of selecting the Roosters’ left edge of Cordner, Maloney, Michael Jennings and Daniel Tupou and consigned Pearce to his fate.

It also prompted Daley to reconsider plans to play captain Paul Gallen at prop in place of the injured Fifita, and he will now start the match at lock. After making the decision to blood the rookie halves pairing in Brisbane, Daley is likely to stick with Hodkinson and Reynolds regardless of the result. Arriving back in Sydney from their match against the Warriors in Hamilton, Reynolds told reporters at the airport he and Hodkinson would be honoured to play together for the Blues. ‘‘It’s awesome, our bond has obviously grown this year from Trent coming in and getting through all his bad injuries so it will be a great feat for us,’’ Reynolds said. ‘‘I am over the moon if it is the truth. I haven’t heard anything yet so I will just wait to get the call but it would be amazing if that is the case.’’ Daley stopped short of confirming the Bulldogs pair had been chosen but backed them to handle the step to Origin. ‘‘I think they are playing some really good football, I think Maloney and Pearce have played some good football this year but the Bulldogs pair are on top of the table and doing everything well,’’ Daley told Channel Seven.