Brett Finch has become the NSW State of Origin rugby league halfback after an extraordinary selection flurry three days out from game two against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.

Chosen to replace injured Origin I halfback Craig Gower, Brett Kimmorley tore a hamstring muscle during warm up drills at NSW team training and was ruled out of action for 3-4 weeks.

St George Illawarra captain Trent Barrett was the NSW selectors' original choice to replace Kimmorley, however, he ruled himself out of the match where the Blues can clinch the series.

Barrett only made his return from a hamstring injury on Friday night and said he wouldn't be ready to play again by Wednesday.

Selectors then called up Melbourne halfback Matt Orford into the squad and named Sydney Roosters No.7 Finch as a shadow player.

But Orford also ruled himself out, due to a leg injury.

Orford said he needed painkilling injections to play through Melbourne's loss to Souths and decided he would not be fully fit to play for the Blues.

He said the fear of letting NSW down was behind his decision.

"It's tough enough just playing club football and especially in State of Origin you'd probably get found out pretty quickly if you were carrying some sort of injury," Orford told ABC radio.

"If you're not playing well, it's letting your state down as well, that's the biggest thing on your mind."

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