NSW prop Ben Cross feared his Origin career wouldn't stretch to a second appearance as he walked off ANZ Stadium following game one.

And it wasn't just the broken thumb he was sporting that raised his concerns, it was more what he believed was an ordinary debut.

"I caught myself off guard a bit after the game, I wasn't really sure what Origin was all about and I didn't think I went too well," Cross said.

"But when I watched the game later on I thought I had a really effective game, it was really only that one offload in that first stint that I was really disappointed about, that wasn't really an Origin play.

"When I watched the game back I was pretty proud of my game."

So too were the NSW selectors, who showed little hesitation in rushing him back for Wednesday night's decider after the broken thumb sidelined him for the 30-0 game two loss.

Cross was pinpointed by selectors as the missing ingredient in a forward pack severely outplayed by their Queensland counterparts in Origin II.

Now back in the side, Cross gives the Blues a second specialist prop behind former Melbourne teammate Brett White, adding some much needed bulk up front.

White missed four weeks as he nursed his thumb back to full health, but claims he needed only a few minutes to convince himself he was ready for another crack at the Maroons.

That realisation came during the opening exchanges against the Sydney Roosters two weeks ago, on the eve of NSW selection for game three.

"That Roosters game was a really good test for me because they're an Origin forward pack pretty much," Cross said.

"They rattled my cage a few times but it was good actually, to get belted around a bit coming into a game like this."

Cross was picked in the starting line-up for game one before being switched to the bench on match eve.

This time he's been named on the bench, and hopes that knowing his role from the get-go will allow him to have a greater impact on the game.

"I didn't know until late in the preparation last time," Cross said of his game one switch with Craig Fitzgibbon.

"But I just did what was best for the team.

"It makes it a bit easier (this time), knowing I'll come on after the 20-25 minute mark and just trying to be a real impact player for them.

"It's just about trying to lift the boys when I get out there."

The Blues were given the day off on Monday and will wrap up their preparations with a training run at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

St George Illawarra utility Ben Hornby was Monday called in to join the squad as 18th man, but he is unlikely to play barring any late mishap.

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