Paul Green has named his first-ever Queensland squad as they look to hold onto the interstate Shield from their rivals from south of the Tweed.
With a host of players out through injury or suspension the former title-winning coach with the Cowboys has managed to name a side that can do some serious damage.
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We break down the making talking points below. Look out for a full preview early next week.
Kalyn Ponga has been officially ruled out meaning Valentine Holmes will play in the number one jersey next Wednesday night. Ponga will miss his fourth straight Origin contest due to injury.
Harry Grant has been declared fit, allowing Reed Mahoney to return to the Eels this weekend. Grant hasn't played in weeks and had been entering the contests for Melbourne from the bench. He must be 100%, but that's risky.
Cameron Munster is also supposedly ready to go despite a fortnight on the sidelines.
Truthfully you probably play Munster even at 80%, such as his importance to this side, however, AJ Brimson can only cover one position whilst on the field.
Brimson himself was forced off just after halftime in the Titans recent loss to the Sharks. So the question must be asked, is he 100% fit? He looked slow against the Sharks, which is not peak Brimson.
QLD surely wouldn't be entering this game with three players less than 100%, but there are questions ... especially with Munster.
I wrote recently that the back row has become a real weapon for the Maroons and I 100% stand by that.
Felise Kaufusi is an automatic selection for state and country, while David Fifita can be the most destructive back-rower in the game.
Fifita is the key. If he plays well and can get at Nathan Cleary early and often, then Queensland is well on their way to victory. If he allows himself to be contained, as he can have a habit of doing, then the Blues will blunt QLD's biggest weapon.
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Kaufusi is going to put in 80 minutes and will bend the line with every run. You know what you're going to get with the eternally consistent Storm star.
With Munster and Grant fighting fitness, the QLD forwards are going to have to win the early battle to allow their playmakers every advantage that they can.
The middle battle is mouth-watering but the Maroons look as though they can get over their NSW counterparts out wide and this could be the first step on the road to success.
Watch the Origin squads broken down on Rugby League Outlaws
The Maroons have been forced to pick a second-rower in the centres and a reserve grader on the bench. Referring to Jaydn Su'A in such a way is a cop-out but the fact is Wayne Bennett dropped him from the Bunnies side this past weekend.
Kurt Capewell had a brilliant series last year and starred in Game One in the centres. He set up a brilliant try and was the best centre on the field. That though, came at the end of the season and at the last minute following an injury to Brenko Lee.
The Maroons stocks are so low this season that they have had 11 weeks to find a name at centre, yet they've been forced to go with Capewell. I'm a big fan of the Sharks legend, but his best work comes in the second row.
He will be marking up against 'Tommy Turbo' or Latrell Mitchell. He did towel up a fullback turned centre last series on minimal notice, but with all due respect, they weren't 'Turbo' or Latrell.
Su'A is a brilliant player and legit Origin forward but again, he wasn't deemed good enough by multiple time title-winning and Origin winning coach Wayne Bennett just last week.
With Ponga out it looks as though Valentine Holmes will shift into the one jersey, with Kyle Feldt making his long-overdue debut on the wing.
This leaves AJ Brimson as the odd man out. For your life, I thought Brimson would be named at one with Val on the wing, but that really leaves the Maroons without a utility option on the bench.
For the record, I don't believe you need a utility option unless there's a standout but given the fitness worries in the spine, Brimson from the bench makes a world of sense.
Does he come in and play in the nine to relieve Grant? Does he slot in at one, moving Holmes to the wing with Feldt or Coates making way?
It would be asking a lot of the fullback/half to play in the middle at Origin level. I know Ponga did it, but that was a special performance and will be tough to replicate.
I suppose we'll find out on the night, however, there is always a chance Green drops Brimson all together and runs with four forwards which opens up a whole world of further questions.
The Queenslanders are rightfully very confident following the squad announcement. Ponga is a huge out, but Cam Munster's inclusion is almost impossible to explain.
He was concussed in Game Two last year, which was the only game in the Series they lost. That's not a coincidence.
The forwards look very strong, and there are plenty of playmaking options here. The centres will be a target and I don't think the Queensland bench boasts the power of their Blues counterparts.
I do know that you never, EVER bag a Queensland side, as they thrive off showing people up.
This side is simply too good to criticise anyways.
They'll enter Origin One as underdogs, but don't underestimate the lift that jersey (and now a big home crowd) will provide those running out on Wednesday night.