Cameron McInnes got through a truckload of work in his Origin debut – but it wasn’t enough to keep his name on a Blues jersey, with coach Michael Maguire punting him from his along with Nicho Hynes.

McInnes has played 191 NRL games as a defensive powerhouse – not a big-shot balustrade, but a gritty lock who has the versatility to fill in as hooker and ball-play when needed.

Even though his services have been dismissed by the Blues in game two, he believes that he and Hynes will show once again at club level that they deserve another look-in at Origin level even if they don’t necessarily think they have a point to prove.

McInnes made 41 tackles throughout his 48 minutes at Accor Stadium, putting out the second best tackle efficiency for NSW, only .05 behind Payne Haas (97.67%).

Yet, Maguire has opted for the spontaneity and fast feet of Connor Watson, who is a similar build to McInnes but is a completely different style of player. Cameron Murray’s return from a hip problem also played a part in McInnes being relegated to the reserves.

The 30-year-old understood the logic behind Maguire’s selections, saying it’s just the way it goes in Origin.

“No, he didn’t say anything about what I need to do,” McInnes told The Roar.

“He just said ‘it was a decision I had to make and that’s the way I’ve gone’. I’ve been around him enough and I don’t like sometimes looking at what I need to do to get back in the team.

“I just got to play my footy for the Sharks, that the Sharks need me to play, not that I need to do to get back in here. I don’t really like that mentality because it’s not about me, it’s about what my club needs.

“He’s picked the team he thinks is going to win. If they win, then they hold their spot and that’s how it works.”

The former Dragon was adamant that despite doubt on Hynes’ state future after two modest outings, the former Dally M Medal winner was not going to let his latest demotion affect his form.

“Nicho’s in a good place and he’s my teammate, my brother, so I spoke to him heaps over the last few days,” McInnes said.

“He’ll be right. It gets blown out of proportion. It’s footy, it’s high stakes, it’s the biggest arena there is and sometimes there’s casualties.

“It doesn’t mean you’re not a good player, doesn’t mean anything. It’s just the way it goes.”

McInnes finds himself in the No.19 jersey, free to remain in camp as the Sharks have the bye in round 16. He hopes to provide an infectious positive energy, knowing he may find himself on the field due to the sometimes dramatic nature of Origin build-ups.

Blues left winger Brian To’o was also feeling for former teammate Matt Burton, who was completely wiped from the bench for the second fixture – despite his terrific form at the Bulldogs.

“Yeah man (he was unlucky). Burto’s been killing it this year and I’m real close with him,” To’o told The Roar.

“It was pretty unfortunate for Burto, but I know that there’s plenty more years for him and he’ll definitely have his chance.”

To’o is the senior member of the NSW wing brigade and he was thoroughly impressed with St George Illawarra star Zac Lomax’s debut in game one.

“He’s obviously a great player, but a better friend as well. He shows the qualities of a great player, he was born and made for Origin,” To’o said.

“He killed it and was my man of the match. I can’t wait to fight alongside him again.”

To’o and Lomax were arguably the Blues’ best combo of game one, both pulling for more than 200 run metres, while the Penrith power packet broke three tackles despite being suffocated of ball on the left edge.