After making his debut in game three last year, the St George Illawarra Dragons forward was overlooked for game one but his consistent performances for the Red V this season has seen him picked on the bench for this Sunday's match at Perth's Optus Stadium.

"It's very exciting to get back into the team and I'm really looking forward to working towards the common goal with all the boys," Sims said.

"With the calibre of boys that have been named, it makes it really exciting to be a part of something like this.

"Obviously last year was really special, to make my debut and help the boys win the series, but we have a job to do this year, starting with Perth on Sunday."

Playing in Perth holds a special place in Sims' hearts, as his wife Ashleigh is from the Western Australian capital.

"With my wife Ashleigh being from Perth, it's really special to have the opportunity to play over there - especially as I see myself retiring there after my career," Sims said.

"To the opportunity to play at the amazing Optus Stadium and showcase our sport, as a whole, is one I'm really looking forward to.

"And with it all to play for, I can't wait to give my all for NSW once again."

Joining Sims as changes are the returning from injury Wade Graham and Tom Trbojevic.

Graham won a bench spot, despite playing just 88 minutes of NRL since returning from an ACL tear, while Trbojevic also rushed into the team after only two games following a persistent hamstring problem.

Blake Ferguson will end his Origin exile, less than two years after being dropped for a drinking session alongside Josh Dugan five days out from NSW's series deciding loss in 2017.

Melbourne workhorse Dale Finucane, from Bega, will finally make his NSW debut after years of near misses while Newcastle prop Daniel Saifiti will be the seventh Blues debutant of the series.

Nowra-born Cody Walker was axed from the halves, being replaced by Penrith's James Maloney, after being benched mid-way through the second half of the series opening loss in Brisbane, joining Kiama Knights product Josh Morris, Angus Crichton and Latrell Mitchell as omissions from Fittler's side.

Newcastle's David Klemmer (wrist), Canberra's Nick Cotric (ankle) and Brisbane's Payne Haas (hamstring) were all ruled out of game two through injury.