Eleven debutants will take to the field in Game 1 of the 2020 State of Origin series, with a massive eight uncapped players named for Queensland.
The Blues and Maroons were due to unveil their line-ups on Thursday evening, only for them to appear on the fixture page on NRL.com, as well as the NSWRL and QRL sites in the afternoon.
AJ Brimson has been named at fullback for the Maroons in place of the injured Kalyn Ponga, forming a completely uncapped back three alongside Xavier Coates and Phillip Sami. Brenko Lee will also earn his first Queensland jersey in the centres, leaving just Dane Gagai, Cameron Munster and captain Daly Cherry-Evans as the only backline players with prior Origin experience.
Christian Welch and Josh Papalii form a strong front row with Jake Friend for the Maroons, with Felise Kaufusi and Coen Hess in the back row and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui at lock.
Ben Hunt, Lindsay Collins, Jai Arrow and Jaydn Su’A make up the Queensland bench.
For the Blues, James Tedesco still faces a fitness test to play in Game 1, but with Ryan Papenhuyzen out with a calf injury the star Rooster has been named at fullback.
Sydney teammate Daniel Tupou makes his Origin comeback on the wing opposite Josh Addo-Carr, and Clint Gutherson will make his NSW debut in the centres alongside newly-crowned Dally M Medallist Jack Wighton.
While Cody Walker has missed out on a starting spot, with Luke Keary starting at five-eighth next to halfback Nathan Cleary, the Rabbitohs playmaker has won a place on the bench in the number 14 jersey.
Aside from debutant Junior Paulo, who will start in the front row, New South Wales’ forward pack is full of Origin experience. Daniel Saifiti lines up alongside Paulo with hooker Damien Cook completing the front row, while captain Boyd Cordner is partnered by Tyson Frizell in the second row.
Jake Trbojevic will lock the scrum while Payne Haas, Cameron Murray and Angus Crichton are set to come off the bench.
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Clint Gutherson
4. Jack Wighton
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Luke Keary
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Damien Cook
10. Junior Paulo
11. Boyd Cordner (c)
12. Tyson Frizell
13. Jake Trbojevic
Bench
14. Cody Walker
15. Payne Haas
16. Cameron Murray
17. Angus Crichton
Reserves: 18. Cameron McInnes, 19. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 20. Nathan Brown, 21. Zac Lomax
1. AJ Brimson
2. Xavier Coates
3. Brenko Lee
4. Dane Gagai
5. Phillip Sami
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Christian Welch
9. Jake Friend
10. Josh Papalii
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Coen Hess
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Bench
14. Ben Hunt
15. Lindsay Collins
16. Jai Arrow
17. Jaydn Su’A
Reserves: 18. Kurt Capewell, 19. Moeaki Fotuaika, 20. Dunamis Lui, 21. Hymel Hunt
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I really hope Hess does get back to top form, for QLD and the Cows. Bennett has shown a lot of faith in him and maybe that's just what he needs.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
I'd be very happy to be proven wrong!
Rob
Guest
I actually think Hess is an upgrade on McGuire. He’s bigger, stronger, faster and I’m not sure as dumb as Moose. I think Hess has perhaps been a victim of some very poor coaching decisions over the last couple of seasons. He was told to bulk up then picked in the centres? He’s been focused on the wrestling and holding up outside backs and got away from t-boning in defence, something he was very good at before reprogramming. I’m not sure defending with the new combination of Drinkwater and Masters was particularly good for Hess, along with Drinkwater’s somewhat erratic ball play and predisposition to use him as a decoy and throw long balls. Hess Is probably consider a cover in the centre should an injury occur to an outside back. Tino and Welsh are probably better equipped in physicality than Lowe and Joe O.
Rob
Guest
I think you’re correct in the sentimental Friend selection. Harry appears to me by far the better player at this time but he’s also a rookie. Interestingly Friend has a good record head to head against Cook and McInnes? Having the wood on your opposite in wins is a good starting point. On leadership possibly Friend is someone Bennett believes is required with so many debutants? Harry will be itching for his opportunity and the more time he spends in camp the better he will be IMO. It’s hard to question the coaching staff Qld have in the camp, as they have some pretty good records at what they do.
Hopeless Knights
Roar Rookie
Rossi even the greats had their critics. Hopefully Walker can prove a few people wrong on origin night or maybe get a few people to change their opinions on him.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
I liken him more to Sidious than Vader...
Rossi
Roar Rookie
I agree about Pearce, more chances than the Marsh bros combined. McInnes is tough and consistent, you can plan a use for him; however Walker is only of use if there's an injury. Walker just seems someone that isn't suited to Origin, and most of us will be harsher on him to be honest as he's a deadset peanut
Bryce
Guest
Papalii is the only canetoad that would make the Blues squad. Munster is good enough but we’ve got two Clive Churchill medal winning 5/8s and Cody Walker. Cleary has leapfrogged DCE and Keary can play halfback if needed.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I wonder how sentimental the selection of Friend is? Sometimes an awesome player is between generations and misses out Alexander is an example stuck between Sterling/Mortimer and Stuart/Langer eras Would have dominated most other times Friend must be an intention of how they intend to play Game 1
Zenn
Roar Rookie
It's sound player management
Nico
Roar Rookie
One of the issues I see for Qld is the lack of a recognised goalkicker. While the Blues have Clesry, Qld's got a couple of part-timers in Gagai, Munster and DCE, can only hope they've got enough tries in them for a win
U
Roar Rookie
Friend is serviceable like McCullough was but you’ll get zero attack out of him. The maroons will be flogged
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Just saying I wouldn’t be stepping over Harry to get to Su’a, Hess or Hunt . That last month after Harry came back early from knee surgery, Liddle was only given junk minutes in Harry’s spot, so dunno if that’s an accurate gauge. Harry is a hooker, agreed, but we’ll no doubt get to see in Game 2 he’s far more talented than some of the ‘specialist’ forwards that have been given priority. IMO
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
He is not exactly built like Brandon Smith is he!
Sportstragic
Roar Rookie
"Freddy may be resting Finucane and Yeo"......... You do realise this State of Origin Zenn? Not a chance!!!!!!!
Randy
Roar Rookie
could be, looking at the 95 team i think they had a better backline than this one with O’Davis, Dallas, Coyne, Danny Moore, Sing, Jason Smith, Lam, but this QLD side still beats them in the forwards and bench IMO. 2001 qld side was weak on paper too but they had the great Lockyer and that dominating Broncos forward pack, plus Langer came back for game 3.
Nat
Roar Rookie
IMO he's most effective at Hooker. This year when Madge would put Liddle on and play Grant as a running forward he was nulified.
Nat
Roar Rookie
2017 NSW $1.93 Qld $2.02 2013 NSW $1.92 Qld $2.08 2009 NSW $1.82 Qld $1.92
The Barry
Roar Guru
Queensland were favourites in 2005 coming off two straight series losses? There were plenty of years even in the streak where NSW started the series as faves
JGK
Roar Guru
You mean against the Storm reserve grade team? Cordner was discussing retirement a few weeks ago and Jake T, while a terrific player, was worn down from carrying Manly this year.