NSW coach Michael Maguire insists the door is not shut on Stefano Utoikamanu for State of Origin, despite leaving last year's debutant out of a pre-season camp.
Utoikamanu was a surprise omission from Maguire's 36-man camp at the start of this month, after debuting in Game II last year and being dropped by Brad Fittler for the dead rubber.
Maguire made a point of reaching out to Utoikamanu to explain the snubbing, having previously coached him at Wests Tigers.
But despite picking eight other middle forwards ahead of Utoikamanu, Maguire was adamant it was not a sign the 23-year-old was on the outer for this year.
"I have a good relationship with Stefano," Maguire said.
"I would have liked to have had many players come in ... but I couldn't bring the whole of the competition in.
"There's players (we didn't pick) who still have the opportunity, that's in front of them."
Utoikamanu has since said Maguire's decision to leave him out of the squad had motivated him more to play Origin I in Sydney on June 5.
Maguire has also made clear he will wipe the slate clean for his first year in charge, with no spots guaranteed after back-to-back series losses for the Blues.
The new coach has met with several past and present NSW players in recent months, and will make changes to the way things are done.
Maguire's most crucial decision is likely to be in the halves.
Mitch Moses has made it clear he would be open to shifting to five-eighth to partner Nathan Cleary, giving NSW two dominant halves.
The pair have never played together in Origin, with Cleary injured for each of the three games Moses has played for NSW.
But there is every possibility that could happen this year, if Maguire opts to overlook Jarome Luai and put Moses at No.6.
Maguire said he would be open to playing two dominant playmakers together, rather than a traditional five-eighth and halfback.
"I'd have no problem with that if I need to," Maguire said.
"I want to pick the players who are in form, playing really well, and then I'll gel that together."
