The pair entered Blues camp on Monday morning, the first of the St George Illawarra hooker's career.

Cook has spent the past two series in the No. 9 jumper, the Helensburgh product among NSW's best in back-to-back series victories.

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Given the Rabbitoh's success in the Origin arena, McInnes concedes his old teammate has a tight grip on the starting hooker role. He's determined, however, to contribute to the Blues in any way he can.

"That's his jumper," McInnes said. "He's had it the last couple of years, won series and played well. He deserves that spot.

"All I'm going to do is what I do at clubland every day, that's my best, and whatever the squad needs, I'll do that.

"If I get the opportunity to play in some capacity, I'll give it my all, but I don't walk into this. I know my place in the squad and that's to help everybody and compete and we'll see what happens."

McInnes has thrived at lock this season, the tough forward enjoying his time in the middle after a mid-season reshuffle.

Whereas a year ago he viewed himself primarily as a hooker, the 26-year-old now enjoys both positions equally.

With the likelihood Cook will start at dummy half on November 4, McInnes is eager to press his claims for a bench role.

"I think my versatility can't hurt. If I'm just a nine, there's no point really having me on the bench, unless for injury, because Cooky plays 80 minutes.

"Now I'm hooker-lock, both together, not just one more than the other, I enjoy them both, I can't really split them now. That's something good to come out of this year for me.

"That versatility hopefully will help me earn a spot and I feel comfortable in both positions."

The Blues travelled to the Central Coast on Monday, where they will spend the next two weeks in camp preparing for State of Origin I at the Adelaide Oval on November 4.

NSW coach Brad Fittler will finalise his 27-man squad after Sunday's NRL grand final, with seven spots still to be filled.

Cook was one of five players to be named on Sunday, along with South Sydney teammates Cody Walker and Cameron Murray and Canberra's Jack Wighton and Nick Cotric.

Among the group with hopes of earning a Blues call up is Panthers hooker Api Koroisau, Fittler keeping his options open in the crucial position.

The coach did, however, identify McInnes' versatility as a factor that will likely work to his advantage when the team is selected for the series opener.

"Their health is going to count," Fittler said. "I was speaking to Damien Cook and he said he pulled up really good. He had bumped his knee a couple of times over the last couple of weeks.

"Cam McInnes also has the luxury of playing a lot of lock this year. There's a great opportunity there for a bench spot.

"He plays so tough, I couldn't believe it. Number nine would be awful, but you're not lining up running into blokes that many times.

"He put the (13) jumper on and did that really well. He's so wholehearted, it's exactly what we want."