The No.7 will face an ambush when the Blues head to Brisbane on Sunday, but the Canterbury playmaker is enjoying the relaxed nature of the NSW base where the Blues have trained with intent but been kept away from the glare surrounding Origin. The Blues have had a busy preparation mixed with community visits but had their first day off on Friday.

''I’m just trying to block a bit of the hype out,'' Hodkinson said. ''You can easily be distracted by what’s going on outside. I’ve just been able to focus on what’s going on at Coffs. Being here has made that a lot easier.

''My selection didn’t sink in for the first day or two with all the media and other commitments I had to do. It’s been good to relax in Coffs.''

Hodkinson is one of only two debutants for the Blues, with Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou to also make his first NSW appearance on Wednesday. Hodkinson said skipper Paul Gallen had addressed the rookies about their role.

''Gal said to us debutants when we got together at the SCG ... he told us to take it all in,'' Hodkinson said. ''He said to enjoy it and reminded us that it’s just another game.''

Hodkinson will form a new-look halves pairing for the Blues with Bulldogs teammate Josh Reynolds. Coach Laurie Daley has made the pair address the team before each training session, after Daley, Reynolds and Hodkinson have reviewed video. Hodkinson said the pre-training addresses had helped him settle and become more comfortable with his new teammates.

''I’ve found it pretty good,'' he  said. ''Laurie has thrown us out there. It’s been good for us. You don’t want to ... stand back until later in the week. You want to get into it straight away.

''Obviously it’s a bit daunting coming in. I knew a lot of fellas here from other clubs and I was really excited. Laurie spoke to Josh and I and he threw us straight into the mix.

''It was good to get that stuff out of the way.''

After a wretched run with injuries – where he had four career-threatening operations – Hodkinson feared the worst when he slipped while training for the City team, which forced him out of the City-Country game. He has already had two knee reconstructions but recovered in time to play for the Bulldogs days later.

''I was crapping myself,'' Hodkinson said. ''I didn’t think it was going to be good.

''When I got up it felt OK. It just blew up and stiffened a little bit. I was running and slipped, and my knee closed the gap a little bit. I heard a crunch but that’s natural now because it’s so stiff in one area, so that’s the noise it makes.''