Newcastle coach Brian Smith says the NRL is yet to see the best of in-form playmaker Jarrod Mullen.

Mullen missed out on a NSW State of Origin recall last week, but after Terry Campese's less-than-convincing performance in the 28-18 defeat by Queensland on Wednesday, selectors may now turn their attentions back in his direction.

This is despite the 22-year-old saying last week he hoped the Blues would keep faith in Peter Wallace and Campese for the whole series, even if they lost.

And Smith said if Mullen was to be selected for the second match in Sydney on June 24, he would be better equipped than he was in 2007 when he made his Origin debut in what was a baptism of fire in Brisbane.

"Jarrod is developing extremely well and although there is still a lot more to come from him he is growing as a leader with every game," Smith told AAP.

"The experience he has got in recent years as a leader and the coordinator of our attack is vital to his development and he has still got truckloads to learn.

"He is still a young fella and is still lapping it up a little bit but I can't see any signs that he is intimidated by it all which many young halfbacks tend to do."

Although he was pleased to keep Mullen in his team after he was left out by NSW, Smith said he had no fears about his progress being hindered if he was recalled to face an outstanding Queensland team.

"There is an upside and a downside with him not being called up," he said.

"It is good for continuity and consistency for us that he was able to play against the Bulldogs last week, but one of those Origin games is worth five, 10 or maybe more NRL games.

"I have no direct experience of Origin having not played in it, but guys that have say it crystallises a lot of things that would take you longer to learn at club level.

"But Jarrod is really fixed in his mind ... and not worrying about selection ... it will come when the selectors will decide it is the right time for him."

Smith said he was hopeful both Kurt Gidley and James McManus would be fit enough to play on Sunday against Parramatta after their Origin exploits and thought the pair handled themselves well in Melbourne.

"We have an early indication that both of them are really sore but with a couple of recovery days they should be fine," Smith said.

"They both had some moments they would prefer not to have had ... and that goes for the whole NSW team, but I thought they stuck at their task well ... there were a lot more positives than negatives."

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