Andrew Johns' left-field option to replace injured Blayke Brailey in State of Origin II

NSW State of Origin legend Andrew Johns believes Api Koroisau should replace the injured Blayke Brailey on the Blues bench in game two.

But the rugby league Immortal has tossed up a left-field option for the June 17 clash, floating Victor Radley as a candidate for the back-up hooker role.

In a huge blow for the Sharks and Blues, Brailey suffered a suspected broken forearm during Cronulla's 28-22 win over Manly on Friday night.

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The Sharks co-captain played a key role in the Blues' 22-20 victory in the State of Origin opener on Wednesday night, setting up a try and laying 14 tackles after replacing Reece Robson in the 50th minute.

Blues coach Laurie Daley has a host of candidates to choose from as he weighs up which hooker to play off the bench in Melbourne.

Wests Tigers star Koroisau is likely the frontrunner, but Daley could instead go for the Warriors' Wayde Egan, the Roosters' Connor Watson or the surprise option of Radley.

Daley used Radley as an enforcer in the middle of the park in game one. Across two stints at Accor Stadium, the Roosters firebrand laid some crunching hits and took some tough carries.

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"Api Koroisau is back this weekend [from suspension]," Johns said on Nine after Cronulla's win over Manly.

"The other option was Wayde Egan.

"But if you said to me now, 'Who would Laurie pick?', I would say if Api Koroisau comes back and plays well, I think it's Api Koroisau."

Koroisau and Watson have both played Origin football.

Egan hasn't, but the Warriors rake has been in top form and the Kiwi side is sitting in second on the ladder.

"The other option I suppose would be to have a player like Victor Radley who could play dummy-half," Johns said.

"We've seen him do that at the Roosters.

"But I think Laurie would more like Victor to play in the middle as a middle forward."

Blues great Brad Fittler also vouched for Koroisau, but put forward Watson, too.

"I think what you would do because you've got six players on the interchange, you would definitely have a hooker. So that would be, I'd say, Api Koroisau just through experience," Fittler said.

"The other thing you can also do is carry Connor Watson as well ... and Connor Watson gives you the ability if something happens, he plays a bit of lock forward, bit of hooker as well ... He's done it for New South Wales before, he's been part of winning series, Connor Watson, so there's experience there.

"But there's good options; that's the handy thing. Laurie's in a pretty good position where he's got players that have got State of Origin experience, and also the six-man bench gives you some flexibility."

Former Blues captain Paul Gallen also backed Koroisau for the secondary hooker role.

"I think when you make that change [to take off Robson], you need someone with a bit of trickery around the ruck; it takes pressure off," Gallen said.

"If there's a threat at dummy-half, they [Queensland] are not only worried about Nathan Cleary, and I think that's what Api Koroisau will do; he'll be a threat around dummy-half. He's a good run threat, he's great with the ball, he can kick the ball, so I think that takes a little bit of pressure off Nathan Cleary. I'd prefer to go with someone like that.

"Connor Watson's been there before, but I feel like he's more of a run threat than a ball-playing threat.

"I like the fact Api Koroisau's a great ball-player."

Brailey suffered the injury when he went to tackle Jason Saab, with his right forearm colliding awkwardly with the Manly winger's torso.

"Shattering for Blayke Brailey but also shattering for the Blues and also the Sharks," Johns said.

"That's heartbreak, though, just watching him."

NSW will take a 1-0 lead over Queensland into game two at AAMI Park.