As the newly minted New South Wales starting hooker, Api Koroisau admits he has big shoes to fill, replacing incumbent number nine Damien Cook.
"'Cookie' has done an amazing job and nobody is going to replace what he has done," Apisai Koroisau told ABC Sport.
The Rabbitohs star has started as hooker for 13 consecutive State of Origin matches but will start from the bench for Game II after the Blues' shock loss in Sydney earlier this month.
Koroisau doesn't want to get overwhelmed by the pressure, knowing he has to step up in Perth for New South Wales to keep their series hopes alive.
"To be honest I am trying not to think about it like that — at the end of the day it's just a job that needs to be done, it's not like we are doing anything too different or too crazy out there, it's the same thing we do every week," Koroisau said.
Starting the Panthers rake in just his second Origin appearance is just one of seven big changes to coach Brad Fittler's side going into the must-win clash.
Koroisau wants to prove he's worth the gamble, not by emulating Cook's style but by instead playing his own game to his own strengths.
"What I'll bring is maybe just a bit of a steady head, try and move us around the ruck a bit, a bit more energy there in that middle, I'll do my best and see what happens," Koroisau said.
While the series opener was by no means a thumping defeat, Koroisau feels the Blues performance was far from good enough, saying there's plenty for the side to work on after the 16-10 defeat.
"Our ruck speed playing the ball, how slow it was for us and how quick it was for Queensland, so defensively we have to be a bit better and quicken up our attack," Koroisau said.
"Our supports were down as well so there's plenty of room for improvement."
In an effort to find that improvement, Fittler has taken a stern approach to his side's Perth preparations – calling his players into camp on Sunday night in Sydney and departing early on Monday morning for a full week of training.
The Blues also won't break camp for a day, as they did before Game I, with the squad to stay together for the full seven days in the lead-up to the match on Sunday.
It's a very different approach to Queensland's coach Billy Slater, who will arrive with his charges in Perth late on Thursday.
Koroisau will be joined by his ex-panthers teammate Matt Burton, who will debut in the centres after Jack Wighton was ruled out due to contracting COVID-19.
"I'm over the moon, there's a lot of energy in the group, and I'm looking forward to the week," Burton told ABC Sport after his first session with the squad.
"The boys have been really good, they all got around me so it makes it a lot easier on me, looking forward to getting out there."
Burton is certain his experience with the Panthers, where he played a crucial role in the side's march to the 2021 premiership, will make all the difference for New South Wales as he attempts to brush off the pressure and keep the Blues on track for a fourth series win in five years.
"It obviously helps a lot, knowing those boys from last year, we have a few combinations there and I can't wait to use them," Burton said.
"You know the pressure is always there, but we are feeling confident going into the game."
