EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Johns tips late Blues shake-up for Origin opener as major 'worry' revealed

NSW legend Andrew Johns believes coach Laurie Daley could spring a late change ahead of Wednesday night's State of Origin series opener.

Daley divided opinion when he named his 20-man Blues squad this week, leaving out plenty of in-form players to face the Maroons.

The make-up of the NSW bench has also been called into question, with only one genuine front-rower included alongside the likes of the returning Cameron Murray, as well as debutants Victor Radley, Blayke Brailey and Ethan Strange.

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While the criticism has come thick and fast, Johns is happy with the team selections - but did float one potential shake-up before kick off.

"I really like the team and I think he [Daley] has picked the team on the quicker ruck," Johns said on Wide World Of Sports' Immortal Behaviour.

"I like a lightweight bench with Cam Murray, Victor and those guys.

"I've just got a feeling Jacob Saifiti may start him with Fonua-Blake and Barnett goes back to the bench. They can really make a statement early with two big boppers.

"They can really lay the platform and hopefully get a greater share of possession."

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Johns did admit however that the Blues forward pack as it stands was lacking the defensive mindset required to win Origin matches, but is backing the impact of Murray, Radley and others from the bench to firm things up in the middle of the field.

"I think if you have a look at the starting pack, they're very much an attack-based mentality," the Immortal continued.

"[Addin] Fonua-Blake is a really attack-based player, Hudson Young puts a lot of energy into attack, Haumole same thing ... those players are really attack-minded.

"Early in Origin, you need a really defensive attitude.

"I think Cam and Victor will come on around the same time, they'll play big minutes.

"Brailey, depending on how the game is going, he mightn't be used. Laurie will have a conversation with him, but I could imagine him coming on with 10 to go in the first half or the 50th minute. I like Ethan Strange, he's the X-factor … just throw him on, him and Hudson Young play really well together, so he's the joker in the pack.

"I think there's a clear plan and I really like what I see."

Johns has been far more positive than other past Blues figures when it comes to the squad for game one, but did reveal his one major concern.

"There's a couple of worries in there," he said.

"Stephen Crichton's injury, I'm a bit worried about that. His club form hasn't been really strong, but that's a by-product of the Dogs."

Crichton missed the side's first training session but is expected to play, with young gun Casey McLean placed on standby for a potential debut.