State of Origin teams for Game 1 revealed: Cody Walker snubbed, Jake Friend wins Maroons battle

The big losers from the State of Origin team announcements have been confirmed, along with Maroons coach Wayne Bennett’s big gamble.

Cody Walker is out for NSW, but Jake Friend is in for Queensland.

The teams for Game 1 of the 2020 State of Origins series have been confirmed, with several notable omissions from both sides.

Brad Fittler and Wayne Bennett revealed their respective squads on Thursday afternoon ahead of next Wednesday evening’s opener at Adelaide Oval.

Bennett has gambled on eight debutants for the Maroons, while the Blues have been forced to name several injury replacements.

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Earlier, The Courier-Mail revealed Bennett has already made his toughest call, by giving Roosters veteran Jake Friend the starting No. 9 role in a team that includes eight debutants.

Dragons star Ben Hunt has been named on the bench while Tigers rising star Harry Grant has missed out completely.

Meanwhile, Fittler has partnered Nathan Cleary with Luke Keary in the halves.

The New South Wales team will also includes three debutants with Keary and Eels wrecking ball Junior Paulo locked in. Meanwhile, Isaah Yeo and Ryan Papenhuyzen have missed out.

Melbourne's Ryan Papenhuyzen has been omitted.

The team announcement has left 10 players from both squads on the outer after Fittler and Bennett were able to select an extended 27-man squad for the series.

The other early casualties for the Blues include Eels forward Nathan Brown, Panthers flyer Stephen Crichton, Storm forward Dale Finucane, Dragons utility Zac Lomax, Panthers playmaker Jarome Luai and Walker.

The Maroons early casualties include: Souths fullback Corey Allan, Broncos forward Patrick Carrigan, Grant, Coen Hess, Cowboys star Valentine Holmes (suspended for Game 1), Knights centre Hymel Hunt, Dragons forward Josh Kerr, Raiders forward Dunamis Lui and Titans speedster Phillip Sami.

The series kicks off on Wednesday, November 4, at the Adelaide Oval.

NSW BLUES GAME 1 TEAM

NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler.

1. James Tedesco

2. Daniel Tupou

3. Jack Wighton

4. Clint Gutherson*

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

Interchange: 14. Cody Walker, 15. Payne Haas. 16. Cameron Murray 17. Angus Crichton

QUEENSLAND GAME 1 TEAM

Queensland coach Wayne Bennett says his team is not the underdogs.

1. AJ Brimson*

2. Xavier Coates*

3. Brenko Lee*

4. Dane Gagai

5. Phillip Sami *

6. Cameron Munster

7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)

8. Christian Welch

9. Jake Friend*

10. Josh Papalii

11. Coen Hess

12. Felise Kaufusi

13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui*

Interchange: 14. Ben Hunt, 15. Lindsay Collins*, 16. Jai Arrow, 17. Jaydn Su’A*