They don't have the flash of Tom Trbojevic but NSW coach Brad Fittler believes the Blues' State of Origin big boys carry more pressure than their backline stars.
Props Daniel Saifiti, Junior Paulo and Payne Haas have been inseparable in camp this week with the trio forming a tight bond over their shared responsibility in the Blues engine room on Sunday night.
Paulo comes into the starting side to replace the injured Jake Trbojevic, with NSW's three props set to build the platform for a series win in Origin II at Suncorp Stadium.
"They've taken responsibility there," coach Brad Fittler said of his front-rowers.
"If anything our forwards are the ones who come from all different clubs and are less familiar with each other.
"At the end of the day, as much as we love seeing the superstars, they're the ones put under the most pressure.
"It's great to see they're coming along together really strongly."
Super fit trio Saifiti, Paulo and Haas all play big minutes for their clubs and look set to be used in long stints by Fittler once again.
Newcastle leader Saifiti has turned into one of the first picked players for NSW over the past few years and will play his seventh Origin game on Sunday night.
The 25-year-old is in his prime and ready to belt out a hefty stint in the middle if that's what Fittler needs.
"I played pretty big minutes last week and last year I played pretty big minutes (at Origin level) too," he said.
"Me, Junior and Payne have pretty big motors, so whatever is needed of us we'll do it."
Meanwhile, surfing champion Mick Fanning joined camp in Kingscliff this week to lend his wisdom to the group on how to deal with fear.
The Blues have won just two of their past 14 games at Suncorp - a stat terrifying to face for any New South Welshman.
"It would be very naive to think you don't have fear," Fittler said.
"It's obviously a very physical game and played in front of a pretty hostile crowd so there's a lot of atmosphere.
"The most important thing to do with fear though is to be here right now, enjoying training and not worrying about the game.
"That's the place where fear can take over and overwhelm people."
The Blues will train for the final time on Saturday at Suncorp before Sunday's game.
