Wighton will instead wear the No.14 jersey and fill the utility role on the Blues bench.

The Raiders five-eighth's versatility makes him an ideal candidate for the role and it's where he started his Origin career in game one of the 2019 series.

He can not only play in the halves, but anywhere in the outside backs, and has the size and power to play in the second row or even in the middle.

Luai's combination with Blues halfback Nathan Cleary has given him the edge to fill the playmaking role and make his NSW debut, as well as the fact the Panthers have won all 12 games so far this NRL season.

Penrith winger Brian To'o will join Luai in making his Origin debut, picked on the wing.

Wighton's played all six games over the past two years, mostly in the centres - except on debut - scoring one try along the way.

Canberra Raiders enforcer Josh Papalii's three-week suspension for a high shot has ruled him out of the series opener, meaning Wighton will likely be the only Raider involved in Origin I - unless Canberra prop Dunamis Lui gets called up by the Maroons.

The Blues are trying to bounce back after losing to "the worst Queensland team ever" last year, going down 2-1 to clinch a sensational upset. NSW players gathered at their accommodation in Coogee on Sunday night to begin the week-long preparation for Origin I.

Where the Origin opener will be played was still up in the air, due to the Melbourne lockdown making it unlikely the game would be played at the MCG on June 9 as scheduled.

Townsville was being touted as the likely alternative, with the Queensland government throwing money at the NRL, but Canberra Stadium was an outside chance with a decision expected to be made on Monday.

The fact the ACT government wasn't willing to throw millions of dollars at the NRL to host it makes it unlikely it will be held in the capital.

The NRL were giving the Victorian government every opportunity to host the event.

NSW Blues squad: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Brian To'o, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Tom Trbojevic, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Daniel Saifiti, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Jake Trbojevic, 11. Cameron Murray, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Isaah Yeo. Interchange: 14. Jack Wighton, 15. Junior Paulo, 16. Payne Haas, 17. Liam Martin, 18. Apisai Koroisau, 19. Campbell Graham.

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