NSW players are backing their latest rookie in Matt Prior to deliver on the big stage in State of Origin II.

Prior will start in the run-on side on Sunday after beating Ryan James in the race to the front row spot vacated by the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Blues hooker Damien Cook said coach Brad Fittler’s latest bolter had already settled in seamlessly.

“He’s come in with plenty of energy,” Cook said.

“He’s going to want to come in and do a great job in his first game like we all wanted to last week, and I know he will.

“He’s someone who’s worked very hard to get where he is, and he’s a good mate of mine so I’m lucky to have him out there next to me.”

The Blues barely broke a sweat in Wednesday morning’s field session at a squelchy Coogee Oval, a walk through lasting barely half an hour.

Persistent rain didn’t dampen the spirits of Prior who, at 31, will become the fourth-oldest player to make his Origin debut for NSW.

Angus Crichton said it was just reward for the Cronulla front-rower’s perennially underrated career.

“To see a bloke like him, who’s never given up on his dream, to get rewarded for it, I’m just happy for him and his family,” Crichton said.

“He deserves it and I’m sure he can do a job.”