New Blues coach Laurie Daley has made it clear that he wants to stick as close as possible to the team that last year came within a field goal in Origin III of winning the series but there are concerns about the form of several players, headed by Williams and Grant.

Williams, who had been a regular in Australian teams for the past two seasons, was axed from the side to play New Zealand in Friday night's Test and will instead line-up for City at Coffs Harbour on Sunday.

Grant will also play for City, but was initially named on the interchange bench behind rival props Aaron Woods and Tim Mannah.

The presence of Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita on the bench for City and Trent Merrin, Willie Mason, Tariq Sims and Ryan James in the Country side will put added pressure on Williams and Grant to perform.

''I suppose Tim was one of those blokes who loyalty was paid to him,'' City coach Brad Fittler said. ''From the start of this year, I don't think his form has been outstanding. But last year he came up into the Origin system and he was outstanding so I think this might be something that can kick him along and not only help the City side and NSW but also hopefully benefit Penrith as well.''

Fittler admitted Williams had also been selected on reputation rather than form.

''With some people you go back and look at their history and if I remember Origin I last year, if it wasn't for him I don't think we were going anywhere early,'' he said. ''I thought he was all right the other night [for Canterbury], he ran a really nice line off Josh Reynolds and got the ball at speed so that was a good enough sign for me.

''I think he knows what he has got to do, if he watches the footy he has had enough criticism so I really look forward to getting him in there. Hopefully he enjoys the week and he can relax a bit.''

Among the other major talking points from the selection of the City-Country teams were:

❏ South Sydney's Adam Reynolds being named as City halfback in place of Mitchell Pearce (calf);

❏ Roosters five-eighth James Maloney firming to be NSW five-eighth;

❏ Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne appearing a certainty for the Blues fullback role, and;

❏ Mason's return to rep football in the Country front row after a four-year absence.

''He has played a hell of a lot of Origin and he has played over 20 Tests and I think on form he deserved to be there,'' Country coach Trent Barrett said. ''But apart from that, having seven debutants in the side, it is important I surround them with blokes like Mase. He gives us that bit of experience and he is going to be good for camp.''

Pearce was ruled of selection, along with Manly fullback Brett Stewart (hamstring), Melbourne's Ryan Hinchcliffe (knee), Jarrod Mullen (knee) and John Sutton (groin).

''I spoke to Mitchell, the [Roosters] doctor and the coach and they have spoken to the staff in the City side,'' Fittler said. ''He wouldn't be able to train early in the week so it is a great chance for Adam Reynolds.

''The important thing from his point of view is that he will come into a group of strangers and to be able to instil what he wants from the team. I think it is a massive test for him and we need blokes like Adam Reynolds to come good and put pressure on Mitchell.''

Fittler said City five-eighth Josh Reynolds was likely to play some time at hooker to push his claims for a utility role with the Blues.

City Origin: Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Merritt, Michael Jennings, Chris Lawrence, Jorge Taufua, Josh Reynolds, Adam Reynolds, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Tim Mannah, Tony Williams, Ryan Hoffman, Feleti Mateo. Interchange: Wade Graham, Andrew Fifita, Tom Symonds, Tim Grant.

Country Origin: Michael Gordon, Akuila Uate, Jamal Idris, Jack Wighton, James McManus, James Maloney, Josh McCrone, Trent Merrin, Boyd Cordner, Josh Jackson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, Willie Mason. Interchange: Sam Williams, Tariq Sims, Ryan James, Alex McKinnon.