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Queensland begins its Life After Lockyer era tonight as Mal Meninga unveiled his side for the Origin series opener in Melbourne on Wednesday May 23. Join our selection chat on The Roar to dissect and discuss the Maroons team.
Mal Meninga has unveiled a largely predictable yet formidable Queensland squad that seeks an unprecedented seventh consecutive Origin triumph.
Cameron Smith will assume the captaincy as the Maroons begin life without Darren Lockyer at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium on Wednesday May 23.
The Melbourne skipper is no stranger to leadership at this level having filled in for he injured Lockyer in 2008, but this is a more permanent role for the 29-capped Kangaroo and 24-time Origin player.
“It’s a huge honour to be given the captaincy of this team and it’s something I always dreamt of doing as a young kid. I’m pretty excited to have that ‘C’ next to my name,” he said.
“He [Lockyer] just went out there and trained as hard as he could. As a leader that’s the best way to go about things.”
“The danger for us is being complacent and comfortable with what we’ve done over the past six years. The reason we’ve done so well is [because of] how hard we’ve trained and not getting carried away about what we’ve achieved.”
With the last six Origin titles hanging from their belt, Queensland has named a side that coach Mal Meninga feels quietly confident can repeat the dose on their southern foes.
“I think all of our players have stepped up over the last six years,” he said.
“Darren Lockyer has been a massive leader throughout that period and even before, although with Cam Smith now as captain and wealth of experience and leadership qualities in our side, we expect to play at our potential on Wednesday.
“Regardless of what team [NSW] pick, they’ll play well and be committed. Their four debutants will bring a lot of enthusiasm and they’ll be there to win. We just need to prepare well and play to our capabilities.”
The Maroons have opted for a more experienced and battle-hardened side, selecting only one debutant. Brisbane’s Matt Gillett becomes the 50th Bronco to earn a Queensland Origin jumper and was given the nod from selectors due to his versatility.
At the other end of the spectrum, Petero Civoniceva earns his 31st Origin cap in what will be his final season. The veteran Bronco was named at number 10 and leads a foreboding forward pack with the likes of Matt Scott (8), Smith (9), Nate Myles (11), Sam Thaiday (12) and Ash Harrison (13).
Billy Slater received the call for his 18th Origin selection and once again has the opportunity to impress in front of his Melbourne fans. Darius Boyd (2) and Brent Tate (5) were picked on the wings while former Melbourne fan-favourite Greg Inglis (3) takes his place in the centres alongside Justin Hodges (4).
Cooper Cronk (7) is promoted to fill the void at half-back while Jonathon Thurston (8) will start at five-eighth, where he will pull on the maroon guernsey for the first time since a sickening knee injury in last year’s Origin finale brought his season to a premature end.
“We know we’re playing against a very good New South Wales side and it won’t happen easily,” Smith said.
They’ve picked a side with a lot of points in them and with danger all over the park. Starting tomorrow, it’s all about the way we go about our training and making sure we enjoy each other’s company because that’s a big part about being on this State Of Origin side.”
Queensland’s Origin 1 Lineup
1 Billy Slater (Melbourne)
2 Darius Boyd (Newcastle)
3 Greg Inglis (South Sydney)
4 Justin Hodges (Brisbane)
5 Brent Tate (North Queensland)
6 Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland)
7 Cooper Cronk (Melbourne)
8 Matt Scott (North Queensland)
9 Cameron Smith – Captain (Melbourne)
10 Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane)
11 Nate Myles (Gold Coast)
12 Sam Thaiday (Brisbane)
13 Ash Harrison (Gold Coast)
14 Matt Gillett (Brisbane)
15 Dave Taylor (South Sydney)
16 Ben Hannant (Brisbane)
17 David Shillington (Canberra)
18 Dale Cherry Evans (Manly)
19 Dave Nielsen (Melbourne)
Mal Meninga – Coach
Check this evening’s live blog in the Comments section below, to share your thoughts on who has been picked, who’s been left out, and anything more.
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