Fitzgibbon on the way back

NSW coach Craig Bellamy and chief selector Bob McCarthy conceded veteran Craig Fitzgibbon was all but struck off the list of representative candidates before his career took a surprise detour in the right direction.

The Roosters back-rower will play his first Origin match since 2005 after being named on the Blues bench for the series opener against Queensland on May 21.

Twelve months ago the former international's career appeared to be headed south as he struggled at club level.

But following the mid-season appointment of Brad Fittler as Roosters coach, 30-year-old Fitzgibbon has re-captured the form which had him rated one of the world's premier forwards a few years ago.

"With all due respect to 'Fitz', 18 months ago everyone thought he's lost his legs," Bellamy said on Tuesday.

"But he's found his legs again and I think he's (earned) a very well deserved spot back in Origin."

"I think he's been playing great and obviously to get back in the team the selectors think that as well."

"He's been playing great in club footy; he played very well in the City-Country game."

"I think his experience in big games will be a very handy for us and he's a goal-kicker as well."

McCarthy added: "He picked himself the way he's been playing."

"Two years ago he pulled the pin on representative football but this year under Freddy Fittler he's re-discovered his running game and he is working for 80 minutes and that's what you need in Origin."

"It's something Craig (Bellamy) can rely on. He's also a tremendous goalkicker at that level…he doesn't get overawed by crowds or whatever."

While Fitzgibbon was all smiles after his return from the rep wilderness, Parramatta's Nathan Hindmarsh and Manly's Brent Kite were dealing with their omissions.

Asked if Hindmarsh was now on the outer, McCarthy responded: "No, no way. We all know Nathan had problems earlier in the year with his dad (dying)."

"The last two weeks he's come into his own and he is just unfortunate at the moment that we've got a lot of back-rowers in form."

"He's starting to hit form but the other guys have got the start on him at the present stage."

"We haven't forgotten about Nathan Hindmarsh. We know what he can do."

As for Kite, Bellamy admitted he was desperately unlucky not to be picked.

"Brent played for Australia three or four days ago and he was certainly in discussions for a long time," he said.

"But this is the team we think can do the best job in the way we want to play the game.

"There are three or four guys really unlucky to miss out and Brent is one of those."

McCarthy added: "We want to play a different game to what (Australian coach) Ricky (Stuart) played."

"Brent played pretty good for Australia and also Manly the other day but 18 doesn't go into 17."

"He's a bit unfortunate to miss out but there is a long way to go."

In-doubt NSW forwards Brett White (Melbourne) and Ben Cross (Newcastle) are both expected to pass fitness tests despite being injured in Monday night's game.