State of Origin: Who Maroons should name for Game One

WITH Kevin Walters due to unveil his side for Origin I, there will be a host of new faces for the Maroons — and perhaps some shock omissions.

Michael Morgan has been a mainstay for the Maroons since 2015.

QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters will next week unveil his Maroons side for the State of Origin series opener.

With Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk all retired from representative duty, it shapes as one of the most intriguing team selections in recent memory.

Ahead of the Maroons announcement, The Courier-Mail’s rugby league journalist Travis Meyn names his Queensland team for Origin I.

PETER BADEL: Who Maroons should name for State of Origin I

MIKE COLMAN: Who Maroons should name for State of Origin I

TRAVIS MEYN’S QUEENSLAND TEAM

1 Billy Slater

2 Valentine Holmes

3 Greg Inglis (c)

4 Will Chambers

5 Dane Gagai

6 Cameron Munster

7 Daly Cherry-Evans

8 Matt Scott

9 Andrew McCullough

10 Dylan Napa

11 Gavin Cooper

12 Felise Kaufusi

13 Josh McGuire

14 Ben Hunt

15 Josh Papalii

16 Jarrod Wallace

17 Joe Ofahengaue

18 Jai Arrow

19 Kalyn Ponga

Michael Morgan has been a mainstay for the Maroons since 2015.

TOUGHEST CALL: Axing Michael Morgan. The incumbent Kangaroos five-eighth and long-term Maroons utility loses out to the in-form Ben Hunt, who started his Origin initiation last year. Daly Cherry-Evans has the potential and experience to be Queensland’s long-term No. 7.

CRUELLEST CUT: Jai Arrow missing out. Just. The Titans lock has been sensational but he is a starting player and there is little point having him on the bench. If Josh McGuire isn’t fit, Arrow is a walk-up No. 13.

ON THE VERGE: Kalyn Ponga. The Knights fullback would not melt in the Origin arena but there is just not enough room for him in the 17. He will spend time in the Queensland set up this year in preparation for his debut, whenever that is.