Jack Bird will start in the NSW halves for State of Origin III, NSW coach Laurie Daley has confirmed.

Bird will play alongside his Cronulla teammate after Adam Reynolds was last week ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Daley said interchange utility Matt Moylan would also be given plenty of time in the halves at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.

“Birdy is a kid who is very confident in his own ability and I still don’t know what his best position is.

“It is good to see that he got his opportunity (in game II) and it was good to see he handled it well and I’m sure he will handle it well tomorrow night.

“He will get an opportunity there. Having said that Moylan will get an opportunity there, they have both trained there.”

Bird moved into the halves in the Blues’ loss in Brisbane last month after Reynolds was injured.

Daley said the Blues’ focus was sending out retiring skipper Paul Gallen a winner in his final Origin match.

“We want to show NSW supporters that we are a pretty good footy team,” Daley said.

“We are playing for them and we are playing for Gal as well. He has been a warrior for us through some pretty good times and it is important that we play well for him.

“He has aimed up every time he has pulled on a blue shirt and the boys appreciate that.

“They know how much this game means to him personally and it would be great if we win for him. If we do win it will give us some optimism for next year.”