Such is the state of uncertainty which has hovered over the NSW State of Origin team over the past few years that not even Jamie Soward dares assume his name will be read out by Blues coach Ricky Stuart on Sunday for game two of the series.

Despite coming up with a solid, if not spectacular, debut performance series opener, and without a genuine challenger to his No.6 sky blue jumper for the June 15 rematch, the St George Illawarra pivot was refusing to take his selection for granted.

"Why, do you know the team?" Soward questioned when asked if he was calmer heading into Sunday's naming of the side for game two.

"I'll be as nervous as I was before Origin I. They haven't named the team yet, so I'll just do my normal routine and hopefully, come Sunday, I'm in the team."

Despite his trepidation, Soward will almost certainly be there at ANZ Stadium when the Blues try to send the series to a decider, with Stuart having made it quite clear before the campaign began that NSW had to stick with a core group of players if they were to ever bring an end to Queensland's five-year reign.

He might however be forced to find a new left edge after Penrith centre Michael Jennings went down with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury against Gold Coast on Saturday night, while Brett Morris' tender hamstring could pose too much of a risk for Stuart.

But Stuart would not have been happy with the form of two of the main contenders for Jennings' berth, with Canterbury duo Jamal Idris and Josh Morris struggling in the Bulldogs' 38-4 loss to Manly on Saturday night.

Others struggling to hold onto their spots were back-up hooker Dean Young and the four men up front, with at least one change expected to be made to the front row rotation after they were outplayed at Suncorp Stadium.

Canberra big man Tom Learoyd-Lahrs only needs to get through Sunday's match against North Queensland to assure his recall, with Manly's Jason King under most threat of the axe.

Dragons prop Dan Hunt also gave another indication that he was worthy of consideration with another strong performance on Friday night against Parramatta.

"I though Dan Hunt was outstanding - the last two weeks he's been outstanding," Dragons teammate and NSW centre Mark Gasnier said.

"I'm sure he's in their minds. Dan's done all he could the last two weeks if he was in consideration."

Newcastle skipper Kurt Gidley should assume the bench utility spot, which would have been his for game one had he not been injured, with Young to make way, while Jarryd Hayne will surely win a recall in place of Morris.

While he wasn't at his scintillating best, Hayne produced another effort of quality against the Dragons on Friday night - his desperation to help the Eels break out of their slump typified by his stunning chargedown of what would have been the match-winning field goal from Soward in the 14-all draw.

"Who knows - I was disappointed not to make the first one," Hayne said of his selection chances after Friday night's match.

"There's nothing I can do other than play like I did tonight and play footy and do what I love doing.

"It's always a pleasure to put the Blues jersey on and, if I get the call-up, it will obviously be very good."

Penrith's Luke Lewis and Manly enforcer Anthony Watmough will also come under consideration, but their hopes could hinge not on form, but rather Stuart's unwillingness to make too many changes to his game one squad.

Likely squad: Josh Dugan, Jarryd Hayne, Mark Gasnier, Michael Jennings/Jamal Idris, Akuila Uate, Jamie Soward, Mitchell Pearce, Kade Snowden, Michael Ennis, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Greg Bird, Beau Scott, Paul Gallen (capt). Interchange: Kurt Gidley, Ben Creagh, Tim Mannah, Trent Merrin.

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