Over a week of training, NSW captain James Tedesco has come to understand why Penrith have developed such a winning culture in the past two years.
And it's all typified by Panthers winger Brian To'o.
The 22-year-old seen without a smile despite the hardships he has been through in his life, and his boundless energy has revived the Blues camp leading into game one in Townsville.
"He's a ball of energy, he's very funny, he's good for a laugh," Tedesco told AAP of To'o and the Panthers contingency.
"They've just got good energy. That's how they play and that's how they've played together for a few years and got so many wins.
"They never seem down and if something goes against them they just bounce back and that's what's made them into such a successful team over the last few years."
The six Panthers players are popular within the Blues camp for their sincerity and talent after 17 straight wins last season into another 12-game unbeaten streak this year.
Halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai are leading the ship along with Isaah Yeo, To'o, Liam Martin and 18th man Api Koroisau.
Those club combinations will be key for the Blues on Wednesday night and no one knows it more than Tedesco.
For the first time since 2012 Tedesco is the only Sydney Roosters player in the NSW Origin side, be it through suspension, injury or concussion concerns.
In years gone by he would be flanked by Boyd Cordner, Angus Crichton or Daniel Tupou, but Penrith's new crop of young stars will take the reigns in Townsville.
"Those combinations transfer," Tedesco said.
"We come together for a week or so and try and build those combinations but when you've been playing together for years ... you know each other's games inside and out and that definitely helps on the field."
After 13 games for the Blues, Tedesco feels the same connection with Cleary and Damien Cook.
"Guys I played with for a couple of years now like Nath and Cookie, you feel like you have those combinations and you feel that connection during the games when you've played together so long."
