Blues rookie Casey McLean is determined to use his State of Origin experience as a launchpad for this year’s World Cup.

The 20-year-old is set to create history as part of the first wave of Kiwis to feature in the interstate series after eligibility rules were changed earlier this season.

McLean has been selected on the six-man bench for NSW, while New Zealand teammate Briton Nikora is on the interchange for Queensland.

The youngster is desperate to make the most of his Origin experience and is confident it will hold him in good stead during the World Cup.

“Getting to learn off some of these great centres [will be amazing],” McLean said after the Blues first training session. “You’ve got Tolu, Critta, Staggs and all these amazing backs.

“I get to learn off them, learn their skills and see how they carry themselves.”

The Kiwis will open their World Cup against the Kangaroos on October 15 before playing Cook Islands and Fiji to round out the group stage of the tournament.

The change to eligibility rules has introduced a new dynamic to this year’s series, with players who previously represented New Zealand and England now able to partake if they also meet the existing Origin criteria.

England star Victor Radley and Tongan co-captain Addin Fonua-Blake, who played one game for the Kiwis in 2017, join McLean in making their NSW debut in next week’s series opener at Accor Stadium.

Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga recently switched his international allegiance from Australia to New Zealand, allowing him to maintain his place in the Queensland team.

While he was born in NSW and grew up supporting the Blues, McLean has always held a special bond to his New Zealand heritage and has no regrets about the decision he made two years ago to sacrifice his Origin ambitions.

Now, however, he’s determined make the most of his unexpected opportunity to wear the sky blue jumper.

“It’s cool to be one of the first players [to play for New Zealand and NSW],” he said. “I’m just grateful to be part of both of those teams, the Kiwis and the Blues. It’s a cool experience to see both sides.

“I’ve learned a lot from New Zealand about the camps and how to treat it like it’s a normal game. It’s clearly not, but you’ve got to prep the same. I’m not changing anything and I’m just grateful to be part of this amazing squad.”

McLean trained in the centres in the Blues first session on Wednesday, with NSW teammate and Samoan co-captain Stephen Crichton sitting out due to a shoulder injury.

Crichton is not currently in doubt for next week’s series opener and is expected to play a greater role in Thursday’s session.

McLean was all smiles at the open training session in front of thousands of fans in Wyong, however there was a minor hiccup when coach Laurie Daley announced his team on Monday morning.

The coach inadvertently called the centre Casey McGuire, a Queenslander who played two games during the 2005 series.

In a sign of how young McLean is, the youngster wasn’t even born when McGuire donned the maroon jumper.

The 20-year-old took the moment, and ensuing jokes, in his stride and even used it as an opportunity to learn more about the former utility.

“It’s pretty funny,” McLean said. “Laurie has apologised for it.

“I did not know who he is but a few things came out and I did a little research about him. He’s got more [premiership] rings than me, so I’ll take it.”