NSW are set to enter next week's Origin with a more settled side than their Queensland counterparts for just the second time in nine years.
NSW are expected to name an unchanged side on Monday for the second match of the series, while the Maroons could make as many as six changes.
It's understood only injuries in Monday's clash between Canterbury and St George Illawarra will see NSW alter their 17 - making for their first unchanged lineup since the 1996 series.
In comparison, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston and Gavin Cooper could all be in line for Queensland recalls, while Valentine Holmes, Coen Hess and Jarrod Wallace are potential debutants - the latter dependent on the outcome of his citing for a shoulder charge.
Regardless, it will mark just the second time since Game II 2008 that Queensland have made more mid-series changes than NSW - with the other going into the third game of 2015.
But on both those occasions the Maroons rebounded from defeats to win the next game, and Blues half Mitchell Pearce is all too aware of the calibre of players Queensland are bringing in.
"They're a great side," Pearce said.
"Thurston comes back into the team, he's one of the greatest players of all time.
"Billy Slater is probably the greatest fullback of all time.
"In an Origin series you expect the best players in the game and Queensland always deliver the best players in the game."
It is expected that Queensland coach Kevin Walters will wield the axe, with his interchange and some Origin veterans to get the worst of it.
Justin O'Neill will all but certainly be gone from right centre, allowing a backline reshuffle which will see Darius Boyd shift to the wing and Dane Gagai in one spot.
Anthony Milford's dislocated shoulder will mean Michael Morgan is guaranteed to keep his spot on the bench, however he could be the only interchange to survive from Origin I.
Along with starters Corey Oates and Nate Myles, bench players Sam Thaiday, Jacob Lillyman and Aidan Guerra have all faced intense pressure to keep their spots.
Predicted Queensland side: Billy Slater, Corey Oates, Will Chambers, Dane Gagai, Darius Boyd, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Dylan Napa, Cameron Smith, Josh Papalii, Gavin Cooper, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire. Interchange: Michael Morgan, Jarrod Wallace, Coen Hess, Aidan Guerra.
Predicted NSW side: James Tedesco, Blake Ferguson, Josh Dugan, Jarryd Hayne, Brett Morris, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Aaron Woods, Nathan Peats, Andrew Fifita, Josh Jackson, Boyd Cordner (capt), Tyson Frizell. Bench: David Klemmer, Wade Graham, Jake Trbojevic, Jack Bird.
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