Cliff Lyons has encouraged ex-NSW teammate Brad Fittler to reunite former South Sydney halves pairing Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker on the State of Origin stage.
But for Lyons' wish to come true, Walker must overcome a quad injury.
Walker suffered the injury at South Sydney training ahead of round 15 but his coach Jason Demetriou still believes the five-eighth is "every chance" of recovering for the must-win game of the series on June 21.
In 42 previous series, no Blues side has lost Game I before evening the ledger in Queensland and the current crop will need to defy history without star halfback Nathan Cleary, who suffered a hamstring injury in round 14.
Either Cronulla skipper Nicho Hynes, Parramatta's Mitch Moses or Brisbane veteran Reynolds has been tipped to replace the Penrith co-captain at Suncorp Stadium on June 21.
Playing into Reynolds' hand is his combination with possible five-eighth Walker, who had been considered a chance to usurp Jarome Luai for the series opener after a blistering start to the year.
Walker and Reynolds played six seasons as the Rabbitohs' halves pairing before the latter joined Brisbane and in that time, the side qualified for four preliminary finals.
Currently, Walker leads the league in try assists while Reynolds' Broncos are entrenched in the top four on a 10-4 start.
Six-time Blues five-eighth Lyons, to whom Walker is often compared, said the potency of the Rabbitohs' combinations must not be ignored.
"I wouldn't mind reuniting the halves from the Rabbitohs a few years back in Reynolds and Walker. That'd be pretty special," he told AAP.
"They've been there and done it. They were at Souths for many years and Adam is a terrific player.
"He deserves a spot."
In recent years, Fittler has stacked the Blues with Penrith players in the hopes Luai and Cleary can combine with their Panthers teammates as effectively as at club level.
Similarly, Walker and Reynolds would have the chance to unlock the Rabbitohs contingent if picked, with South Sydney's Latrell Mitchell and Cam Murray both locks for selection pending fitness.
Fellow Rabbitohs Campbell Graham and Damien Cook are also in the frame for NSW, while Tevita Tatola and Keaon Koloamatangi are at longer odds to earn debuts.
Lyons was particularly keen to see Mitchell feeding off his former teammates after missing the series opener with a last-minute calf injury.
"Hopefully we can get Latrell out there. He was a big loss. Fingers crossed," he said.
"It's going to be a very special moment when NSW beat Queensland on Wednesday week.
"(But) they've got to make a few changes."
