He might be a State of Origin debutant but James Maloney is an “old soul” capable of ending NSW’s seven-series title drought, according to Blues great Steve Mortimer.

Maloney’s pairing with Sydney Roosters teammate Mitchell Pearce for Wednesday’s opening game at ANZ Stadium marks the side’s 15th halves combination since 2006.

Former halfback Mortimer, the first man to captain the Blues to an Origin series win in 1985, said it was important Blues fans get behind the selected team.

But he was impressed by 26-year-old Maloney.

“I like James Maloney. He’s an old soul. He’s been around before,” said Mortimer.

“He’s a very measured player and they play together in their club, so I see that as a plus.”

Asked whether he believes the pairing will be the one to finally break the Blues’ drought, Mortimer said: “I’m hopeful that they will be, absolutely.

“The beautiful thing is we’ve got so many players in key positions who are pushing Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney as well, and that’s a good thing.

“I would like to think that we can stick with the same team and win three-nil.”

Mortimer said Maloney and Pearce had shown with the Roosters they could create opportunities in attack and he backed them to counter Queensland’s formidable halves Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.

“Thurston and Cronk are great players (but) I think they will stand up, look them in the faces and do well,” he said.

Fellow Blues legend Ben Elias agreed Pearce and Maloney were “100 per cent” the right combination to win the 2013 series.

“Have a look at their side (the Roosters). They’re in form, they’re playing with confidence,” six-time NSW captain Elias said.

“Pearce is very experienced. They tick all the boxes.

“They’ve picked a side that can score tries from anywhere on the paddock and to me, that’s the way I’ve always played the game and I like taking it to them rather than playing defensive.”