Daly Cherry-Evans has been named at halfback for Queensland for Wednesday night's State of Origin II in Sydney.
The Manly playmaker had been given virtually until kickoff to prove his fitness after a knee complaint ensured he did not take part in his first team training session until late yesterday.
Ben Hunt was on standby to make his Origin debut in a match Queensland must win to keep alive their quest of nine straight series wins.
One-nil up in the series, NSW are aiming to break the Maroons' eight-year stranglehold on the interstate series.
NSW assistant coach Matt Parish refused to accept NSW were the favourites after winning the opening game
"We're coming against a championship team who are going to be desperate.
"But can I say this: we're very desperate too. We haven't won a series eight years in a row and this is our chance.
"Us playing at home tonight is a massive factor in our favour, but it counts for little by the time the ball is kicked off. It's then up to the players to react to the crowd and to the energy that they're going to supply."
The Blues will be looking to Alex McKinnon for some inspiration as they attempt to break Queensland's eight-year State of Origin stranglehold on Wednesday night.
The Newcastle forward will be at ANZ Stadium for game two, nearly three months after suffering a serious neck injury in a match against Melbourne.
Parish said there was no doubt McKinnon's presence would provide a "massive" boost to his side.
"Alex has been an inspiration to everyone in the NRL, to see how he is recovering and how he's taken on the adversity that he has,"Parish told reporters on Wednesday morning.
"His story, what he's been through, lifts everyone. The way he's handled it, and the way his family have in the way they've stuck together."
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