NSW champion Nathan Hindmarsh reckons rookie five-eighth James Maloney’s calmness under pressure is matched only by unflappable Queensland skipper Cameron Smith.

Smith, regarded as not only the number one hooker in the game but also the best captain, has been a key component of the Maroons’ record-smashing seven series victories in a row.

And much of that has come down to Smith’s ability to remain composed not only with the game on the line, but also when things get heated throughout the 80 minute contest.

Being handed a Blues halves spot has been somewhat of a poisoned chalice in recent years, with NSW burning through 15 sets of halves since Queensland began their winning run in 2006.

But the fact the Blues haven’t ever won a game with a debutant five-eighth doesn’t faze Hindmarsh – and he doesn’t expect it will faze Maloney either.

“Because nothing seems to faze him. He’s like Cameron Smith,” Hindmarsh told AAP.

“He plays with composure, no matter what the scoreline is.

“I think he’ll be a handy little asset for the side.”

Maloney will link with Sydney Roosters teammate Mitchell Pearce as the Blues’ focal point in attack, and Hindmarsh backed the pair to withstand whatever the Maroons attempt to apply on Wednesday night.

“There’s a lot of pressure on the halves when it comes to Origin, but I think they’ll do the job,” Hindmarsh said.

“You’ve heard it all before, but the compliment each other very well.

“Jimmy is just a calming influence … as the happy-go-lucky kind of bloke he is, nothing fazes him.”

Calmness could be a trait which runs through the Blues this series, with rookie coach Laurie Daley also embodying the soothing quality.

Daley coached Hindmarsh at Country Origin level, and the Parramatta champion has no doubt NSW have picked the right man to bring the state’s best players together.

“We already know they’re the best players in the state, that’s why they got picked … his job is to bring them together as a team,” Hindmarsh explained.

“I think Laurie’s a good man for that job.

“He’s calm and he’s no fuss. That’s the vibe you get from him.”