Ashley Harrison, David Shillington dropped from Queensland State of Origin II side, replaced by Josh Papalii and Daly Cherry-Evans

QUEENSLAND have ushered in a new wave of talent with Maroons selectors axing Ashley Harrison and David Shillington for Origin II.

QUEENSLAND have ushered in a new wave of talent with Maroons selectors today axing Ashley Harrison and David Shillington for Origin II at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.

Maroons hierarchy have reacted to the side's 14-6 loss in game one by handing debuts to Daly Cherry-Evans and Josh Papalii, who were 18th and 19th men respectively for the series opener at ANZ Stadium.

Canberra back-rower Papalii has been named on the bench, while Cherry-Evans will wear No.14 and handle the utility role previously held by Cooper Cronk and Karmichael Hunt.

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Shillington started in the engine room in Origin I, but the Raiders enforcer has been dumped after struggling to make an impact in the early exchanges.

Maroons back-rower Nate Myles replaces Shillington up front, paving the way for Origin I debutant Chris McQueen to start alongside Sam Thaiday in the second row.

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And Harrison's stellar 15-game Origin career appears to be over, with the Titans workhorse losing his lock position to Broncos ironman Corey Parker, who was outstanding against the Tigers last night.

Souths forward Ben Te'o has retained his place on the Maroons bench and will be joined on interchange by Papalii, Cherry-Evans and Matt Gillett.

Roosters prop Martin Kennedy has been named 18th man.

Ben Hannant was being considered for a bench spot, but his omission again leaves Queensland without a specialist prop on interchange.

Maroons coach Mal Meninga said time for fresh faces was needed after NSW out-enthused an ageing Queensland side in the series opener.

Ashley Harrison

"It's difficult making changes but I felt we needed some fresh blood," Meninga said.

"The reason is we have some young kids who have been in our system for a few years.

"Guys like Josh and Chris have been playing particularly well ... and they have forced their way into the side.

"Josh adds that aggressive element to the game. He is very combative in his play and Origin is like that. I don't know how much game time he will get but I'm sure he will do well for the state.

"There's a bit more utility value and mobility. When you look at the first game, I thought the guys on the bench made a difference so two of those guys (Parker and McQueen) have been rewarded by being picked in the (starting side)."

Josh Papalii

Meninga said dropping Shillington and Harrison was a difficult call but insists the pair's Origin careers are not over.

"Shillo is not playing well at the moment and he is motivated to get things right," he said.

"If he plays well he is a chance of making it back and so is Ash. We feel 'Harro' is a very solid player and he is still in our memory."

Meninga pledged there would be no hint of complacency from the Maroons, whose seven-year dynasty will come crashing down if the Blues prevail at Suncorp Stadium.

The Maroons coach said Queensland would not be deliberately engaging in fisticuffs after an edict from the NRL that will see a player sin-binned for throwing a punch.

"We're not out there intentionally to go the biff, that is not the way we play," he said.

"We want to play better footy, that's why Josh is in the side.

"Knowing the character of league players, we will get over it (their loss in Origin I) and move on.

"We were a bit off-colour in the first game so I'm sure the guys can bounce back."

MAROONS SQUAD: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matthew Scott, Cameron Smith (c), Nate Myles, Chris McQueen, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Te'o, Matt Gillett, Josh Papalii. 18th man: Martin Kennedy