Josh Morris is to replace an injured Josh Dugan in the NSW centres for the State of Origin rugby league series opener on Wednesday.

Morris has been released by Canterbury after earlier being named to play in the Bulldogs' NRL clash with Canberra on Sunday afternoon.

NSW coach Laurie Daley confirmed Morris would return to take over at right centre shortly after the Blues announced the withdrawal of Dugan, who experienced further problems with the elbow he hyper-extended in St George Illawarra's loss to South Sydney in round 10.

Ruled out: Josh Dugan. Photo: Jonathan Carroll JCA

"It's one of the hardest decisions I've had to make," said Dugan.

Advertisement

"I aggravated it at training yesterday. It's very disappointing but I had to do what was best for the team."

The NSW right centre role will be nothing new for Morris who has been a regular part of the Blues since 2012 and he resumes one of the hardest jobs in Origin over the last few years - stopping Greg Inglis.

Painful blow: Josh Dugan shows discomfort after suffering an arm injury during the round 11 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on May 19. Photo: Matt King

AAP