And Barrett said Cherry-Evans shouldn't consider his Origin career dead and buried and predicted he'd come into contention at some point over games two and three.

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"I felt for Cherry, he has been playing well and not just this year but he had a really consistent season last year," Barrett said.

"I'm sure he'll get his chance. Another one is Api (Koroisau).

"I said to them there is three games in the series and you never know what's going to happen. Chez and Api will certainly be considered over the next six weeks.

"If we win and keep playing well, we'll give them more hope."

Sitting 12th at 4-8, three wins outside eighth spot, Barrett doesn't see the finals as out of reach.

But he concedes they need to string together several wins following last week's one-point loss to Canberra.

After a tumultuous first half of the season - which has included a salary cap scandal and the Jackson Hastings saga - Barrett says the Origin period is a chance to climb the ladder.

"You need back-to-back wins to get yourself back in the frame," Barrett said.

"If you win three in a row, you'll be punching just outside the eight again. That's why last week was so important.

"We can't look too far ahead but I'm good enough at my maths to know that we need to start winning pretty quickly and we need to start stringing some wins together."

Matthew Wright comes in for Tom Trbojevic at fullback against the Cowboys at Lottoland while Shaun Lane slots into lock for Jake Trbojevic.

The Cowboys will be without Origin contingent Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess while prop Matt is serving a shoulder charge suspension.

AAP