Former golden boot winner Anthony Minichiello has been left thrilled and shocked by his recall to the NSW Origin side.

Minichiello has not played for the Blues since the 2007 opener and was advised to retire after struggling to regain form after serious neck and back injuries.

He replaces Josh Dugan who has sustained an ankle injury.

Minichiello will be feeling a sense of justification and jubilation after all those hours in the gym trying to rehabilitate his battle-scarred body.

He said he has rebuilt himself from the ground up and is now going to savour his Origin experience more than ever before.