Matters of State: Who replaces Cleary for Blues?

Brad Fittler has probably never faced a bigger selection call in his five seasons in charge of NSW than who will steer the Blues to an historic series win after losing Origin I in Adelaide.

Until 6:32pm Sunday, Nathan Cleary was the only name under consideration for the NSW No.7 jersey but a hamstring injury in the early stages of Penrith's 24-16 defeat of St George Illawarra has thrown up a huge dilemma for the Blues.

Does Fittler and his coaching staff now simply opt for the player most consider to be next in line - 2022 Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes - for his starting Origin debut alongside Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai?

Or do they use Cleary's absence as an opportunity for a revamp after last Wednesday night's capitulation and choose Mitchell Moses, Matt Burton or Adam Reynolds - the latter possibly re-uniting with former Rabbitohs halves partner Cody Walker.

The 26-18 loss has left the Blues needing to become the first NSW team since the three-match concept began in 1982 to bounce back from defeat in the opening game and clinch the series by winning Origin II in Brisbane and a decider.

It's a huge responsibility for an Origin rookie but Hynes, who played the last 12 minutes of the series opener at right centre, has not only risen to every challenge he's faced since joining the Sharks last season, but thrived.

He almost certainly would have played in the halves for the Blues at Adelaide Oval if Cleary or Luai hadn't been available for Origin I and deserves his chance.

However, Reynolds, Moses and Burton offer big match experience after playing in recent grand finals and previous Origins for NSW, while each possesses a kicking game considered among the best in the NRL.

Reynolds also knows every blade of grass at Suncorp Stadium after guiding the Broncos to the top of the NRL ladder and with Latrell Mitchell set to return from a calf strain, the Blues could look to a combination forged at Redfern.

Mitchell is expected to play left centre, prompting suggestions Walker could be chosen alongside him at five-eighth, with Reynolds to call the shots at halfback and Damien Cook to be recalled as hooker.

It would be a tough call on Luai and hooker Api Koroisau, who performed strongly for NSW in Adelaide, but among the reasons they were chosen was their relationship with Cleary in the Penrith side that featured in the past three grand finals.

If Fittler wants to stick with the Panthers influenced combinations the Blues have largely been built around, he could choose Burton - the Bulldogs five-eighth - who played in Penrith's 2021 premiership triumph against Souths.

Burton and Luai have played together in the halves for the Panthers and he also has a partnership with NSW winger Josh Addo-Carr at Canterbury, while his towering kicks have the potential to terrorise Maroons fullback Reece Walsh.

Moses is the other option and he took over the NSW playmaking duties the last time Cleary missed an Origin - the 2021 dead rubber at Cbus Super Stadium, won 20-18 by Queensland.

Moses last year steered Parramatta to their first grand final appearance since 2009 against Cleary's Panthers and was one of the most sought after players on the NRL transfer market until recently re-signing with the Eels.

Reynolds last played Origin in 2016, partnering James Maloney in the halves for two matches when Mitchell Pearce was out, while Burton's played all three matches of last year's series in the centres.

He was 18th man at Adelaide Oval and with centre Tom Trbojevic forced from the the field for a HIA 12 minutes from fulltime after being the victim of a high shot by Tom Flegler, the Blues could have activated him but instead used Hynes.

Now Fittler faces another decision about how to use Hynes and will spend the next week deciding whether to call him up as the automatic next choice or go with an alternative option.