Ryan James was on his way to the airport getting ready for the biggest week of his life after getting the call from Brad Fittler before Origin 1.
However, before he would board the plane from the Gold Coast, James would receive a heart-breaking phone call from Fittler telling him he wasn't required for the opening Origin game.
Fast-forward two weeks, Blues incumbent Reagan Campbell-Gillard goes down with injury 10 days before the second Origin game and is ruled out.
It is thought the Titans forward, Ryan James, will slot into the side after coming agonisingly close selection in Game I.
Yet, James has been denied his Origin debut once again with the Blues opting for Cronulla's Matt Prior.
And now Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander has revealed to Triple M Saturday NRL why Prior was selected over James.
LISTEN HERE:
Here's the full interview with NSW Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander