Queensland claim they've stuck with their famous loyalty policy despite dumping veterans Matt Scott and Darius Boyd for next week's State of Origin opener.
A total of 50 Origins' worth of experience was discarded when Scott and Boyd were overlooked in a new-look Maroons squad, which will be captained for the first time by Greg Inglis, in June 6's series opener in Melbourne.
Queensland looked like they needed all the experience they could get this year as they prepare for life without their Big Three - ex-skipper Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, boasting a staggering tally of 101 Origins.
Instead the Maroons unveiled three debutants - Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough, Melbourne back-rower Felise Kaufusi and Gold Coast bolter Jai Arrow - with no room for Scott, 32, or 30-year-old Boyd.
But coach Kevin Walters baulked at the suggestion the Maroons selectors had ditched their "pick and stick" policy that had led to 11 series wins in the past 12 years.
He said Queensland had remained faithful to those who claimed a series clinching game-three win last year despite incumbent bench forward Tim Glasby being overlooked.
"People say we are not being loyal to Queensland. Well, we are being loyal to the players who did the job in game three last year," Walters said.
"Unfortunately there have been some players left out, as tough as it is.
"(But) I am really excited about what these (selected) players can do. It's their Maroon jumper - what are they going to do with it?"
Maroons selectors boss Gene Miles said the Origin door was not closed on Scott or Boyd.
"It is a three game series. We want them to go back to club land, improve in a couple of areas and it's a crazy game with injury and suspensions - it always happens," he said.
Gold Coast's Jarrod Wallace bumped Scott out of the starting front row while Cronulla flyer Valentine Holmes denied Boyd a left wing berth.
"That's the worst part of my job, ringing those players and informing them they're not in the team," Walters said.
Walters seemed unfazed by the daunting task of extending the Maroons' success without their Big Three in his third year at the helm.
"I don't see it as starting again. When I took the job on a couple of years ago we had a good think about who is coming through and when these guys going to retire," he said.
"We have slowly introduced players through the last couple of years."
McCullough will attempt to fill the big shoes left by Smith, Kaufusi is in the starting back-row for Matt Gillett (neck) and 22-year-old Arrow is on the bench.
St George Illawarra's Ben Hunt earned his first start at No.7, combining with Melbourne's incumbent Maroons pivot Cameron Munster.
While the Cowboys' poor NRL form went against Scott, the Maroons stuck with North Queensland's incumbent Origin players Michael Morgan, Coen Hess and Gavin Cooper.
Test half Morgan is bench utility ahead of Newcastle's Kalyn Ponga, Cooper is retained in the starting back-row and Hess is again on the interchange.
Walters wasn't worried about injury concerns for Billy Slater (hamstring), Hunt (thigh) and Josh McGuire (ankle).
Brisbane lock McGuire was retained despite missing the past five NRL rounds.
QUEENSLAND: Billy Slater, Valentine Holmes, Greg Inglis (capt), Will Chambers, Dane Gagai, Cameron Munster, Ben Hunt, Dylan Napa, Andrew McCullough, Jarrod Wallace, Gavin Cooper, Felise Kaufusi, Josh McGuire. Interchange: Michael Morgan, Josh Papalii, Coen Hess, Jai Arrow.
Australian Associated Press
