The 31-year-old was long seen as Cameron Smith's heir apparent, but few knew the former skipper would play 15 years in the Maroons number nine.

McCullough got first crack at that long-occupied jumper in the first series post-Smith in 2018, one in which the Blues broke their stranglehold under Brad Fittler. Best mate Ben Hunt was also there a No. 7 as the Maroons looked to move past the Cooper Cronk-Jonathan Thurston era.

Going 2-0 down, Hunt was scapegoated to the bench in a game-three dead rubber that was the pair's last Origin outing together. They'll build on that in the unlikeliest of reunions on Sunday after earning recalls as the Maroons look to bounce back from 50-6 drubbing in game one.

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Hunt was something of a surprise game-one omission having been a mainstay of the Maroons side since 2017, including last year's series victory.

McCullough admits he didn't think returning to the illustrious arena would be part of the deal in shifting to Wollongong.

"It just shows you never know what's around the corner in rugby league," McCullough told NRL.com.

"I never really thought about [Origin], I just wanted to go play some good footy for St George. I was happy, I was healthy, I was enjoying going to training still. The two other young lads (Harry Grant and Reed Mahoney) that are playing hooker are out injured at the moment.

"Opportunities come at different stages, I didn't think I'd get my [first] opportunity when I did at 28. You just never know, for any player out there, when they'll get their chance."

The pair have also linked back up at club level this season, despite fluctuating fortunes on the team front, with Hunt showing glimpses of the form not seen since his first season with the Dragons.

McCullough wasn't putting his hand out for credit, but has enjoyed working in tandem, though they're likely to share dummy-half duties on Sunday.

"We're obviously different players and bring different things to the team and that's why Greeny (Paul Green) has got us in here," McCullough said.

"I don't give myself too many wraps for [Hunt's form]. I think Hook (Anthony Griffin) has done a tremendous job of that, he challenges him a lot. He knows the type of player Ben is and what he needs to do for that team.

"Hook looks after him when he needs to. Being the captain as well he needs to set the standards, especially at training and in the games and he's been doing that."

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