Maguire is set to name a squad for the June 5 series opener on Sunday night, with an extended playing group expected to be unveiled.
Nicho Hynes' calf tightness remains a lingering issue for the Blues, after he failed to get through Cronulla's 42-0 NRL loss to Penrith on Saturday night.
NSW are already without first-choice half Nathan Cleary for at least the first two Origin games, while Mitch Moses has not played since suffering a foot injury in March.
Luai now suddenly shapes as an option for NSW at No.7.
He has starred while filling in at halfback for Penrith in recent weeks, and was by far their best player in Saturday's flogging of the first-placed Sharks.
Jarome Luai was Penrith's best in their win over Cronulla. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
Dropped by the Blues after he was sent off in Game II last year, Luai was already considered an option for NSW at No.6 for this year's series.
But he could now loom as the last man standing at halfback, if Hynes' calf continues to be an issue.
"I don't care (if I play six or seven)," Luai said.
"I just want that Blues jersey. I want my last name on my back again.
"I'm confident, I've always backed myself in any situation. A lot of good players are going to be picked in that side."
If Luai was to play No.7, that would likely leave former Penrith teammate Matt Burton at five-eighth.
Cody Walker would also be an option at No.6, with South Sydney officials adamant the calf issue that ruled him out of Saturday's win over Parramatta shouldn't cost him an Origin spot.
Luai, Burton and Walker are all left-side players, but the Penrith playmaker said he was more than capable of playing on the right.
"Yes sir (I can)," Luai said.
"All I've had to do at Penrith is take control of that left side. But I'm a team player, if they need me to play right, I'll play right.
"Nothing changes really.
"I'm obviously a left-footer so that's why I'm pretty comfortable on that left side in terms of kicking and stuff like that but I love a challenge."
The other left-field option for Maguire would be to bring Moses into the squad, after he played for the Blues in Cleary's absence last year.
The Parramatta No.7 has not played since breaking his foot on March 24, but is expected to be fit to return for the Eels next week.
"It would be a big ask given the injury Mitch had," interim Eels coach Trent Barrett said.
"It was pretty significant and he's got a plate in his foot and hasn't really completed a full week of training yet."
A left-field option for NSW would be to take a chance on Eels star Mitch Moses. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
NSW also have other concerns, with second-rower Liam Martin sent for scans on his hamstring on Sunday morning.
In better news for the Blues, Latrell Mitchell has avoided a ban for a hip-drop tackle on Eel Sean Russell.
Mitchell has made himself available for selection, and is in a battle with Zac Lomax and Jesse Ramien for the left centre spot.
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