NSW coach Laurie Daley believes Sunday's City-Country match should provide the environment for Josh Reynolds to regain the form that earned him an Origin jersey last year but if not, the Blues may turn to the unlikely halves combination of Trent Hodkinson and Mitchell Pearce.
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But the Blues look to be without their skipper with Paul Gallen reportedly ruled out of the May 27 opener. The Sharks captain was sidelined for an indefinite period with a hip injury last week and is also in doubt for Origin II on June 17.
If the 33-year-old is ruled out Robbie Farah would be the frontrunner to assume the captaincy. The Wests Tigers hooker deputised for Gallen when he was ruled out for Origin III in 2013.
Hodkinson, who partnered Reynolds at the NSW scrumbase last season, and his predecessor in the Blues No.7 jersey, Pearce, have been rested from City duties as Daley knows what each has to offer but he believes the Canterbury five-eighth needs to play after a season disrupted by injury and suspension.
Sydney Roosters five-eighth James Maloney will play opposite Reynolds in the Country No. 6 jersey but Daley is not committed to selecting club combinations for NSW and could choose a combination of any of the four.
Daley's preference is to stick with the incumbents in the Bulldogs halves pairing of Hodkinson and Reynolds, but much will depend on how the latter performs in Wagga Wagga on Sunday, while his poor judiciary record means even the most minor charge would result in a suspension as he has carryover points and loading from previous offences, including a dangerous throw in round one.
There are also concerns about Maloney's defence and should neither he or Reynolds convince Daley they are worthy of selection for Origin I, Fairfax Media understands the Blues would consider partnering Pearce with Hodkinson as all teams play one playmaker either side of the ruck and he is a renowned tackler with a good kicking game, as well as the experience of 12 previous Origins.
The only other contender, South Sydney's Luke Keary, has missed his opportunity to impress in City-Country after withdrawing from the City team with a foot injury. "James is playing good footy for the Roosters and Josh has had a disrupted pre-season and I think what he needs is to get out here and play with a different group of boys and enjoy the week," Daley said. "The scrutiny, I suppose, in regards to club form is now out of the equation, it is now more about what you can do this weekend with a different group of players and I think they enjoy that."
Since he and Hodkinson were selected for the Blues in Origin I last season on the back of their roles in helping Canterbury to seven consecutive wins, Reynolds has missed 12 out of 26 games for Canterbury due to suspension, injury or NSW commitments and observers believe he looks to be under pressure and struggling with the structured playing style of Bulldogs coach Des Hasler.
Asked if he had been enjoying his football this year, Reynolds said: "Yes and no. I am not going to lie, some games have really done my head in and other games I have really felt that love back".
Daley told him during a meeting on Monday to "just relax" and Reynolds believes that playing for City under Brad Fitlter could be the freshen-up he needs, and the 26-year-old is determined to retain his place in the NSW team.
"It has been a different preparation for me, it has been nowhere near the same as last year," Reynolds said. "I take things a lot harder than other people do and it really hurts me when we lose a game. I put a lot of the emphasis on myself and it has been me a lot of the time. I haven't had good games and I am not afraid to say that but everyone goes through some little patches, it is just how you come out of them.
"For me the more footy I play the more confidence I get, so it is hopefully going to be a confidence-builder and I really did have fun last year, so it is good to change it up sometimes.
"You go from a Des Hasler, who is so on to everything, so strict about everything and so good at what he does in that way, to Freddy, who is really relaxed and makes you do the stuff but they are just totally different personalities and I really enjoy that.
"It makes you realise how lucky you are to get picked in a team like this and I love playing in these rep games. Everyone probably says it is an audition for Origin but people who play in this will get picked and people who don't play in this will get picked so it is more of a game where you can come in, see some fresh faces, play with some new people and because I haven't played many games this year I jumped at the chance."
