They've proven to be NSW's biggest strike weapons over the past two Holden State of Origin series but how did James Tedesco and Damien Cook go from club rivals to Queensland's biggest worry in 12 months?
Now the mainstays of the Blues spine, Tedesco and Cook were unknown to each other ahead of the 2018 series.
They have spent the 2019 series as roommates, a key ingredient Blues hierarchy believe is crucial to the side's overall preparations when they allocate who buddies with who in camp.
Last year Tedesco roomed with chatterbox James Maloney, while Cook paired with former Blues forward Jack De Belin.
No extra training sessions behind closed doors for these two, just communication in a hotel room.
"I guess that really helps our combination on the field being close off the field," Tedesco told NRL.com.
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"That's part of being roomies and knowing each other and knowing our strengths really helps out.
"I mean there's a lot of footy during the day so when we're back in our room we try and relax and get away from footy a little bit, but there are a few talks just about what we'd like to do for each other and that's good.
"For his club, whenever there's a quick ruck or a quick play the ball he's off and that's a big indicator for me whenever that's on to follow him and to take that quick play the ball myself as well.
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
"I think it's just our instincts taking over there and trusting each other and it works really well for us and the more we play together the more we both see when those indicators are, so it's been really good playing with him."
The pair burst out of the blocks in Origin I before being shut down in the second half against the fired-up Maroons pack.
They were at their running best again in Game Two despite the heroics of Tom Trbojevic and James Maloney earning much of the praise.
"A big part of it has to come back to Teddy, he seems to just turn up," Cook said.
"A lot of the combination comes down to him. If anything he's making me look good. We've both probably studied each other enough at club level to already know how each other plays.
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"I think that's part of the game these days to really know your opposition and it helps us here when we get into camp."
Cook labelled Maloney and NSW forward Jake Trbojevic as the two biggest talkers in the team – Maloney just in general and Trbojevic in terms of non-stop rugby league chatter.
"Players go in and out of talking about footy, there's times you've just got to get your mind away from footy," Cook said.
"Wayne Bennett is always onto me about leaving the training paddock and not thinking about it until the next time you're there. He's big on us having hobbies away from the footy and it's really important we switch off when it's needed and we're not too consumed."
