Todd Carney believes the adversity he’s experienced throughout his chequered NRL career holds him in good stead for the intensity of a State of Origin series.

Carney, one of four debutants in the NSW side for the opener on May 23, has tasted representative action for Australia in the 2010 Four Nations campaign and becomes the latest playmaker to be given the chance to halt the Queensland juggernaut.

The five-eighth’s Test selection followed his Dally M Medal-winning season when he guided the Roosters to a grand final appearance.

However, 12 months later the 25-year-old’s world was turned on its head when the Roosters terminated his contract after a series of off-field indiscretions – just as Canberra did in 2008.

With a move to French side Les Catalans on the cards, Cronulla threw Carney an NRL lifeline and he’s so far repaid them in spades, helping the perennial battlers to third on the NRL ladder.

“I nearly went to France but the Sharks were pretty vocal in wanting to sign me,” Carney said.

“That was really important and made me feel confident after everything that’s happened, and gave me my belief back,” Carney said.

“My form for the Sharks has been great and that has got me to this stage. But I couldn’t have done it without the rest of the team around me and I would love to play in part making NSW a successful team again.”

While Carney was a certainty, Manly’s Jamie Buhrer is the bolter of the squad and will fill the utility bench spot vacated by the injured Kurt Gidley.

However, Buhrer said his selection was not a surprise to him once Gidley was ruled out with a shoulder problem and felt he warranted a place in the squad.

“With his injury I knew with my form I’d be thereabouts and obviously I was hopeful,” Buhrer said.

“I thought I deserved to be mentioned and to get a spot.”

Manly’s Tony Williams and North Queensland’s James Tamou will also make their Blues debuts after representing Australia.

And New Zealand-born front-rower Tamou is relishing the prospect of facing a Maroon front row that contains Cowboys teammate Matt Scott.

“I’m going to bring more aggression,” Tamou said.

“Obviously I’ve been picked for a reason, I want to go out there and use my big frame. I want my presence to be felt out on field and hopefully do good things.”