NSW Blues five-eighth Mitch Moses has been ruled out of State of Origin II with a calf strain.

The Parramatta skipper suffered the setback at training ahead of next Wednesday’s clash in Perth.

The Blues quickly announced Jarome Luai as Moses’ replacement for the crucial clash.

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Moses was preferred to Luai for the opening game of the series, while Burton was named replacement player for game two.

Daley called Luai on Thursday to ask whether he would be available after being beaten for selection in the series opener by Moses.

Luai, who had just finished on the training paddock at Wests Tigers, answered Daley’s distress call to reunite with former NSW halfback Nathan Cleary in the halves.

The pair won four premierships together at Penrith and have featured together at Origin level six times already, with Luai also featuring as the Blues’ five-eighth in all three games last year.

“I’ve done the work, I’ve been here before. I know what it takes,” Luai said on arrival at the team hotel in Leura on Thursday night.

“We’ve got a good squad so I just need to do my job and give the other boys confidence as well.”

It marks the second time in as many series NSW have been forced to lean on a key player they initially rejected, having called fullback James Tedesco in at similarly late notice for last year’s series opener.

Tedesco was dropped from the team once Dylan Edwards recovered from injury for Origin II last year.

But Luai said he was not yet considering his selection prospects should Moses be fit in time for Origin III.

“I’m not worried about what’s next. I’m worried about the present moment,” he said.

“I’m really excited and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I know there were a few options they could’ve went with but I’ll make sure I repay that faith.”

Moses pulled up sore while running the ball during a training session at NSW’s Blue Mountains camp on Thursday, injuring the same calf that troubled him earlier this year.

The Blues have sent Moses for scans on the injury that delivers a blow to their hopes of sealing a series victory by winning Origin II.

“It’s terrible, isn’t it? Mitch played really well in game one,” said Blues coach Laurie Daley.

“We’re unsure of how bad it is but he won’t be any good for Wednesday with the short turnaround.

“(Luai) played there last year, has got a good combination with Nathan and he’s that left-side player. He’ll do a fine job.”

The NRL has already granted the Blues an exemption to bring Luai into the team from outside the 20-man squad that Daley had named on Tuesday.

It means Canterbury playmaker Matt Burton, considered the other contender to replace Moses, will remain 18th man as initially planned.

- With AAP