A shell-shocked NSW will play fourth-choice halfback Brett Finch after Andrew Johns knocked back an SOS to return to State of Origin duty for Wednesday night's series opener at Telstra Stadium.

In a dramatic day NSW selectors were left fumbling for selection alternatives after halfback Craig Gower suffered a knee injury during Tuesday's final training session, with Johns and then Manly No.7 Matt Orford unable to heed the call.

Johns, who retired from representative football last month, considered a return before turning the offer down.

Then, in another stunning development, Orford was approached about playing but was unable to commit due to a hip flexor injury he sustained against Melbourne on Saturday night.

After hours of debate and knock-backs, Blues selectors finally found a replacement - Sydney Roosters half Finch, who played his one and only match for NSW in 2004.

St George Illawarra's Trent Barrett was not considered because of his retirement from representative football while Blues selectors decided against contacting Cronulla's Brett Kimmorley, who has played just one game since returning from an ankle injury.

Gower had been rushed to Concord Hospital, with Blues officials sending out a call for Johns even before scans revealed the Penrith half had sustained cartilage damage and was no chance of playing.

Johns discussed a possible comeback with brother Matthew before deciding against a return for the Blues.

"He won't be playing," said Johns' manager, John Fordham.

"They called him in the event somebody was unable to play, but the answer is no for two reasons.

"The first reason is the lack of mental preparation for the game.

"Two, he's carrying a back injury - not serious - from the game last weekend.

"He's got to get that fixed up for next weekend, so he is definitely unavailable for selection if they need to find a replacement halfback.

"Mentally and physically he's not ready to play, plus he's retired from Origin football.

"That decision has been reinforced tonight.

"I'm not surprised they've gone for him, he's one of the few people that could do it (at short notice)."

Matthew Johns said it was a shame his brother wouldn't come back for one last hurrah for the Blues.

"State of Origin is a continual soap opera," Matthew Johns said after conferring with the Knights playmaker.

"From a fans' point of view it would have been brilliant ... it has been an unusually slow build-up (to tomorrow's game), but I've got a feeling things have accelerated in the last couple of hours."

TAB Sportsbet had suspended betting on the game until Wednesday morning.

In a further injury development, back-up hooker Luke Priddis will suit up and participate in the NSW side's warm-up just in case Danny Buderus is a late scratching for tomorrow's match.

Buderus is still in doubt with a lower back injury, with coach Graham Murray prepared to give the Knights hooker until just before kick-off to prove his fitness.

Both No.9s trained at Telstra Stadium on Tuesday under the watchful eye of Murray, who admitted: "I don't think (Buderus) is across the line".

"We'll give him till the last minute and if that means that Luke Lewis and Luke Priddis get warmed up with us and we had to make a change because he's in a bit of discomfort, we'd do it then," Murray said.

"Definitely, (Priddis) will be part of the warm-up squad and part of the team for tomorrow, for sure.

"There's also a logistic thing there with (naming the side) an hour before (kick-off), so we'll abide by all the rules."

Buderus, who will continue to work with physiotherapist Liz Street in an attempt to relieve the back spasms, said he was hopeful of running out to face the Maroons.

"There's pain there, I know what sort of pain there is to play in Origin, it's the most physical game you can play so I won't go out there half-hearted," he said.

"I had an injury a couple of years ago and it's a different one ... I've never had a back injury like this."

Should Buderus pull out, Nathan Hindmarsh and Brett Hodgson will come into captaincy calculations.

Lewis is on standby for Eels centre Timana Tahu, who has been struggling with a stomach virus but is expected to play.

The Maroons are expected to make some late adjustments to their line-up, with Steve Bell to shift from the wing to the centres in a swap with Brent Tate. Murray is also preparing for enforcer Carl Webb to come into the starting side.

The match is unlikely to be a sellout, with 12,000 tickets still available.

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