Veteran pivot Trent Barrett has seen plenty of Blues halfbacks come and go but he believes young gun Mitchell Pearce can be the rock NSW build their next great Origin dynasty around.

State of Origin II against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium will be Pearce's second coming as the NSW No.7, following an ill-fated debut in the 2008 series decider when the Maroons finally brought an end to their ANZ Stadium hoodoo.

It's a situation Barrett is all too familiar with as NSW selectors have repeatedly reshuffled the all-important halves combination in recent seasons.

Preparing for his 10th Origin game, Barrett has been recalled to the team a remarkable six times.

And, in what will be his ninth starting appearance at either five-eighth or halfback for NSW, he will run out alongside his sixth halves partner on Wednesday night.

However, he believes 21-year-old Pearce could finally be the halfback who is there to stay and guide the Blues' game long-term.

"It's been hard - I think injuries play a big part in it, luck," said Barrett of the NSW's inability to settle a tried and true halves combination.

"We've rarely had a player in either position that's been able to stay injury free or stay in the game and be the one rock in the team.

"Hopefully you look at a guy like Mitchell whose been playing terrific, he could be the one.

"I've got no doubt he'll do the job for us, he's a very good player and a confident kid, it won't worry him."

Pearce is the first to admit he wasn't ready for Origin football when he became the second youngest player after Brad Fittler to pull on a sky blue jumper.

The then 19-year-old was the latest 'next big thing' pitched into the Origin cauldron by desperate Blues selectors, with similar experiments involving Jarrod Mullen and Peter Wallace having already fallen through.

Being the son of an Origin legend - dad Wayne is the only man to have captained and coached the Blues to series clean sweeps - only added to the hype, Pearce admitting it was all a bit overwhelming for a youngster with just 29 NRL games under his belt.

"Looking back on it now that's how it was a bit, but I'm confident in my football at the moment," said Pearce.

"Last time it was all just a bit surreal and real nerve-wracking. It's still surreal this time but I feel like I've worked for it a bit more this year."

And what about Barrett's prediction that he is the long-term playmaking solution for the Blues?

"It sounds good talking about it like that and obviously I'd love to be there for the next ten years - every player here would love to be there as long as their career goes," Pearce said.

"But it's up to me, it's up to me to perform and that's what I'm planning to do.

"I'm not coming here just to enjoy the camp and go up there and just compete. I want to win the game and bring back the trophy hopefully."

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