Despite playing solidly in the Blues' drought-breaking series win last year, Cleary's spot came under threat after club side Penrith's sluggish start to the NRL season.

But injuries to selection rivals Luke Keary (concussion) and Mitchell Pearce (groin) have given the incumbent number seven a chance to silence his doubters.

Former halfback Mortimer was last week inducted into the NSW Rugby League Hall of Fame after representing his state 16 times, including nine under the Origin format.

He captained the Blues to their first-ever series win in 1985 and warned the Maroons have chosen a superior side to those beaten in games one and two last year.

With Rabbitohs magicians Cody Walker and Damien Cook providing plenty of flair and x-factor at five-eighth and hooker respectively, Mortimer said Cleary can focus on being the rock.

"I do think he's probably the best halfback we have available to pick after Keary (got a head knock)," he said.

"The little fella's a good halfback, I think he deserves another chance. He played well in last year's games and we need to see him take the ball to the line, direct play, and just do the simple things.

"The guts of it is we have a lot of players that can wreak havoc running the ball like Damien Cook and Cody Walker."

Mortimer insisted the Blues can exploit new Maroons captain, halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, in his first match in over seven weeks since recovering from an ankle injury.

Cherry-Evans was superb when given a recall for Queensland's win in last year's game three dead rubber in Brisbane.

"He doesn't take the ball to the line, he gets rid of it first for someone else to take the ball up and that is a definite positive for us," he said.

"I'm sure (NSW coach) Brad Fittler will look at this, and really give him a hard time.

"It's a whole lot more satisfying beating the Queenslanders in front of their own crowd."

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