Knights coach Adam O'Brien says he will be stunned if key forwards Tyson Frizell and Daniel Saifiti are over-looked for the NSW Blues in Origin I because of the side's premiership slide this season.
Blues coach Brad Fittler will officially name his line-up on Sunday night for the first game of the series against Queensland on June 9 with incumbents Frizell and Saifiti right in the mix to take on the Maroons.
Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga, who missed last year's series to undergo shoulder surgery, is considered a certain selection for Queensland but only if he plays and gets through Sunday's game against Manly unscathed.
Ponga has missed the past two Knights matches with a slight groin tear.
Frizell and Saifiti started in all three games last year with Saifiti arguably the Blues best forward in their 2-1 series loss to the Maroons.
But despite this, a number of critics over the past few weeks have questioned their positions in the team although injuries and suspensions to potential Blues rivals haven't harmed their chances.
O'Brien said he would be "extremely shocked" if either player misses out on selection.
"Who are they going to pick instead of them and just because we have been struggling for wins with a number of keys players out doesn't mean they haven't been playing well," O'Brien said.
"I think they are guys who, along with the rest of the forward pack, have tried their backsides off for us this season.
"With the injury toll and the lack of experience we've had out on field, I can't fault those two blokes.
"It's tough going at the moment but that's exactly what Origin is, tough going, so they are the type of guys you want in there.
"They both prepare for battle really well and there hasn't been a week where either of them haven't gone out and held their gloves up for us.
"I never have an issue with them. They typify what it's all about. When you are out there standing next to guys you wouldn't normally be playing with, you want guys that no matter what happens, get the job done.
"Tyson has often been standing next to guys on the edge for us that he doesn't normally play with because of the injury toll we've had but it never bothers him. He plays at 100 miles an hour and never, ever shirks it. Add to that I've never seen a better trainer than him to go into battle and he is proven at that level.
"And I think Daniel is an even better player now because he's really grown as a leader and given the way he played in the series late last year, Brad Fittler won't have forgotten that."
The contenders along with Saifiti for the middle forward spots include Broncos prop Payne Haas, Eels duo Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo, Dragons prop Paul Vaughan and Manly's Jake Trobjevic.
Frizell's position in the backrow seems virtually assured with Sydney Roosters stars Boyd Cordner, Angus Crighton and Victor Radley all unavailable.
Cordner captained the Blues in Game 1 last season but hasn't played at all this season due to his string of concussions while Crighton and Radley are both suspended.
Souths forward Cameron Murray is likely to be chosen alongside Frizell with the likes of Tariq Sims, Isaah Yeo, Ryan Matterson and Liam Martin also strongly in the mix.
