Former NSW coach Michael Maguire insists Kotoni Staggs will be ready to step up and shine for the Blues despite not playing for a fortnight.
The fitness of strike centre Latrell Mitchell is under a cloud for the opening State of Origin clash on May 27 in Sydney.
Mitchell limped off in South Sydney's 32-10 loss to the Dolphins at Magic Round on Friday night.
Wayne Bennett said after the match he didn't think it was serious, but Mitchell was returning from a back issue that forced him to miss a week.
Another of Staggs' rivals for a spot in the centres, Newcastle's Bradman Best, was ruled out of contention for the series opener on Saturday.
Best has been superb in two previous Origin appearances for NSW, but is expected to be sidelined with a calf injury for about three matches.
Staggs has been suspended since round eight, but Maguire, who coached the Blues to victory in the 2024 Origin series before taking over at Brisbane, said he would be ready to shine if recalled.
"Yeah, definitely. I think he's been excellent and he'll be ready to go," Maguire said.
"To be honest, the rest has probably helped him in some way because he's been battling a little bit of a foot injury. But he's all fine. He's out there training really well at the moment.
"So I know if Tones gets the opportunity he'll represent that jersey really well."
Staggs, 27, debuted for the Blues in 2022 in game one of the series but was injured.
He has not been selected since, but last year was his best in the NRL in the Broncos' title-winning season. He then represented Australia in three Tests on the Ashes tour, and has been in brilliant form for the Broncos in 2026.
Maguire knows from his own experience in 2024 how great Mitchell can be in Origin, but said Staggs would provide his own magic.
"He's obviously a big player, but someone like Kotoni can come up with special plays and big moments too," Maguire said.
"They're the sorts of players in Origin games that are special ... and he's obviously one of them. I got to experience that with Latrell.
"I know they've got plenty of depth in what they'll select from and it's going to be one hell of an Origin series."
Staggs said recently securing an Origin recall was high on his bucket list.
"I will let my footy do the talking, but I would love to be back there," Staggs said.
"The way I play in club-land is the way I would play in a Blues jersey.
"If I was to get the call-up again and put that Blues jersey on, I will do everything I could to win a series with them and also keep my spot."
