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Matt Burton will rekindle his defensive connection with fellow Penrith grand final winners Jarome Luai and Brian To'o in Origin II on Sunday.

Brad Fittler will bank on a familiar formula getting the job done for NSW as the Blues aim to square the State of Origin series in Perth on Sunday.

Down 1-0 after a 16-10 loss in the series opener, Fittler has rung the changes in the hope it can spark the Blues into action.

Of the most notable inclusions is that of Canterbury's Matt Burton, who will be deployed at centre with Canberra's Jack Wighton sidelined with COVID-19.

There are similarities between Burton and Wighton, who was arguably the Blues' most impressive performer in Origin I.

Both have deft footballing skill to match their powerful running threats, but it is in defence where Burton, who will make his Blues debut, may just have the edge.

The 22-year-old will be joined by familiar faces on the Blues' left edge with five-eighth Jarome Luai and winger Brian To'o, who were all part of the Penrith side which won last year's grand final.

Across the entirety of last season, including their finals campaign, Penrith conceded just 18 tries down that edge.

"We have great communication, that's the main thing I think about defending well," Burton said.

"There's a lot of trust that comes and develops with playing together a lot.

"I've got Dane Gagai going up against me and he's dangerous and I'll have to do a job on him."

Burton was relieved to receive a Blues call-up after his move to Canterbury.

Players from struggling clubs haven't been called up by Fittler.

Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr was overlooked for both game one and two and prop Jordan McLean, who earned his first NSW selection in 2017, has only worked his way back into the squad after the renaissance of the North Queensland Cowboys under Todd Payten this year.

"There was a lot of talk when Foxxy (Addo-Carr) didn't get the call-up," Burton said.

"It's proof that if you are playing good footy and working hard that there's no reason you can't get here.

"It was awesome when they announced my call-up, Foxxy was the first one straight over to congratulate me."