New South Wales Blues assistant and state legend Craig Fitzgibbon has lauded rookie five-eigth Jarome Luai as the possible x-factor for the Blues tonight in Townsville against Queensland.

It is the first time an Origin match has been played north of Brisbane.

“Obviously Luai has forced his way into the team with Penrith’s form,” Fitzgibbon told SEN.

“He’s so confident, he’s got a very unpredictable game, those players who are unpredictable are very hard to track and know what they’re going to come up with.

“I’m really excited to watch him play.”

Luai debuts alongside fellow Penrith first-timers Brian To’o and Liam Martin.