Ricky Stuart stamped his authority as NSW Origin coach by naming a "Blues-in-waiting" squad to lead the struggling state into the future.

A few of the 51 players named have already had a taste, many have been knocking on the door for a couple of seasons, while some would be totally unknown to most NRL fans.

However it's this mixture of NRL Toyota Cup and lower grade promise Stuart believes can end Queensland's five-years of dominance.

The players will meet in Homebush for a three-day camp from January 21 and unsurprisingly it's a model straight from the Queensland handbook.

Maroons coach Mal Meninga initiated an emerging Queensland squad when he took over as State coach and he's been undefeated ever since.

Newcastle halfback Jarrod Mullen was selected in the squad, four seasons after he was thrust into the NSW team as a 20-year-old.

Mullen played just one match in 2007 and hasn't been seen since. His is an experience shared by many NSW youngsters who have fallen victim to Queensland's aura and the Blues' piecemeal approach to selection.

The 23-year-old said he could have benefited from such a camp as a teenager and hopes to use this recognition by Stuart as a step towards Origin redemption.

"Coming in you don't really know what to expect in the Origin arena and the week leading up to it," Mullen told AAP.

"I was only 20 coming into it so it was pretty daunting, but if you have this sort of thing leading up to it, you get a bit of a taste for it and you're a bit more equipped if you get your chance.

"It's definitely a good thing.

"It's good to be part of the new era coming through and to try and stop their roll and build the Blues team back up to where it was."

Second rowers Mark Minichiello and Chris Heighington have been on the cusp of selection for a number of seasons and are excited to be a part of Stuart's plan.

Gold Coast's Minichiello says as a spectator, it's obvious NSW needed to make a change.

"It'll be a good thing, they've got to do something different this year to try and break that losing habit," he said.

"I think anything's better than nothing."

Wests Tigers workhorse Heighington pledged his allegiance to the Blues having last year flirted with the idea of making himself available for England.

But Heighington, whose father was born in the UK, said he's committed to breaking through for NSW.

"It got blown up in the media to be honest. I had a real good think about it and it wasn't my go," he said.

"Without disrespecting England ... I was born in Australia and I want to play State of Origin and for Australia."

Canberra young gun Jarrod Croker is one of the emerging talents to be invited and the centre says the camp is a good way for players to get over the stigma of debuting against the mighty Queenslanders.

"It's kind of tough but it's a rebuilding phase," he said.

"It's exactly what Queensland would have done five years ago.

"Obviously they've designed it to make you know what it takes to play Origin."

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