Daley has been under growing pressure after NSW lost a third series in four years under his watch and it seems Tedesco's breathtaking exploits this year have finally convinced him to plump for the 23-year-old Tiger at No.1.

It is understood incumbent Matt Moylan will be left out of the squad altogether. The Penrith skipper was touted for a spot as a utility on the NSW bench if he surrendered the fullback role to Tedesco, who was even mentioned as a potential candidate on the wing.

But it is understood Daley has opted against having two specialist fullbacks in the squad, with Tedesco's five-star display in the Tigers' win over the Moylan-led Panthers on Saturday night helping sway the decision.

Tedesco was mounting an irresistible case to be picked for the first match of the series in Sydney before he was struck down with injury. He will now make his first Blues appearance against a backdrop of public support.

Australian winger Blake Ferguson was thought to be under some pressure to retain his place as Tedesco, who stressed after the win over Penrith on Saturday that fullback would always be his preference, continued to dazzle for the Tigers, having chalked up 11 tries in 13 games this season. But it looks as though the Roosters speedster will be retained alongside Moylan's teammate Josh Mansour on the flanks.

Tedesco's call-up will be the major change in a Blues squad seeking to avoid an embarrassing series clean sweep at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday week, the final State of Origin clash for captain Paul Gallen.

Josh Dugan is in pole position to return to the side in the centres after missing the first two games through injury should he come through the Dragons' Monday night clash with Manly unscathed, with Dylan Walker and veteran back-rower Greg Bird under immense pressure to retain their spots.

Daley has already blooded six debutants this series and it could be as many as eight should he opt to gift Wade Graham, selected and then suspended for Origin II, his first NSW jumper from the bench.

"It's all a blur to tell you the truth," Graham said of his Origin disappointment after Cronulla's win on Saturday night. "It was a real tough time and I just tried to do the best I could out of a bad situation.

"That two days of going to Coffs [Harbour], coming home and [having the hearing] and then going to Coffs ... it was just an all-round bad situation. It's nothing I hope to have to relive again. I just did my best to deal with it and get on with it.

"It's hard to describe the emotional highs and lows, but it is what it is. It was such a tough time, but I couldn't control it and I just tried to deal with it the best I could and get on with the job."

Game two rookies Jack Bird and Tyson Frizell are likely to retain their spots, as the Blues keep an eye to the future.

Bird is considered NSW's best utility option from the bench while Frizell, who almost pulled off a memorable try-saving tackle on Dane Gagai, certain to have his place preserved.

The NSW side for Origin III will be formally announced at ANZ Stadium on Monday morning.