It was back in 2009 when James was picked in a stacked Queensland under-18s team that also boasted the likes of Corey Norman, Justin O'Neill and Dale Copley.

But having grown up a fierce Blues supporter just south of the Tweed in Bilambil, James couldn't have been more uncomfortable wearing red.

"It just didn't feel right," James tells AAP.

He insists his allegiance was never in doubt, that it was only because he attended Palm Beach Currumbin - and a goal to play Australian Schoolboys - that he begrudgingly agreed.

"I owe everything I've done to that school. Only problem was it was in Queensland," he says.

If that's not enough to be convinced of his loyalty, then maybe a different jumper proves it.

Hung proudly on the wall of his family home is a NSW jersey of his childhood hero, and perhaps the inspiration that has made James the most potent try-scoring prop in the game.

James's 12 tries in 2016 is the most in NRL history for a front-rower.

"I've still got a Ryan Girdler jersey after he took all those intercepts and scored all those tries that game and kicked all the goals," James says.

"I don't know why I used to love his intercepts, because I was a front-rower. But it was the jersey I wore to training every week."

James' close call for game one has been well-documented.

He was almost on a plane from the Gold Coast when he was informed he lost his maiden Origin appearance to David Klemmer at the last minute.

This time, he was already in Sydney for the Titans' win over Canterbury but hadn't banked on a call-up despite the injury to incumbent Reagan Campbell-Gillard on Friday.

"I didn't really pack for the occasion. I only packed a couple of shirts," he says.

Even before that it was a frustrating wait, from when he attended his first emerging NSW camp in 2011 to being named 19th man in 2015.

And despite being as close as he's ever been to a maiden jumper, James continues to be all about the team - a quality Fittler factored in to his decision to finally bring him in.

"If it's playing, I'll go out there and give it everything. If it's just making sure the boys are getting ready to play, I'll do that as well," James says.

"The most important thing is NSW get the win."

But like he has been since wearing red, James wants to be wearing blue. And he's got the perfect idea with what to do with his jumper if he gets it.

"I just used to love (Girdler) because he scored all the tries, took all the intercepts and kicked all the goals. It's still at mum and dad's house, a long-sleeved one," he says.

"It'll be good to try and hang something next to that."

Australian Associated Press