Under siege Storm winger Steve Turner hopes to keep a hold on his NSW State of Origin jersey with a starring NRL performance against North Queensland in Melbourne on Saturday night.

NSW players are under pressure after their 30-0 game-two pummelling, none more so than debutant Turner, who was repeatedly punished by in-form teammate Greg Inglis.

Turner may make way for the return of Parramatta flyer Jarryd Hayne, who is available following suspension.

But the try-scoring 23-year-old is hoping that a big game will make Blues selectors think twice before the team announcement on Tuesday.

"Playing in my first Origin game, it probably wasn't a night to remember because we didn't get the result we wanted but there's always game three," Turner said.

"That's the thing about the Origin series, you get the chance to redeem yourself after the second one.

"I'd love to get the opportunity again, whether the selectors pick the same 17 or whether they make some changes that's up to them and I can't control that.

"I'm looking forward to a big game against the Cowboys because it's the only game I've got to put my foot forward for the third Origin."

After using last week's bye to freshen up their 10 Origin players, the Storm are looking to make a statement against the hapless Cowboys, who have only managed three wins in 13 games, losing their last seven, to sit in a tie for last with Souths.

There are five teams in a log-jam at the top of the NRL table and Melbourne want to find some consistency and break free.

"It's an opportunity for us to stake our claim this weekend with a good win against the Cowboys at home," Turner said.

"We've been going along win-loss win-loss and we can't have that kind of form going into the finals so we need to get our front foot forward and get the two points."

Bookmakers have given the Cowboys, who haven't won at Olympic Park since 2001, almost no chance of beating the reigning premiers but the Storm players remain cautious.

"The more games they lose, the closer they are to a win so this is a danger game for us," Turner said.

"We can't take them lightly. They still have some quality players and I'm sure they'll come down here with nothing to lose and throw the ball around and chance their arm a bit."

North Queensland's task became even tougher when their flight on Friday was delayed and diverted, extending the trip south beyond nine hours which forced the cancellation of the only training run.

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