Who would have picked at the start of the year that Reece Walsh would be missing as a selection decision for Game 1?
The 2025 Grand Final and Ashes hero has been overlooked entirely in favour of Kalyn Ponga, who was rumoured to be considered by Queensland coach Billy Slater as a potential replacement in the halves for injured incumbent Tom Dearden.
Instead, that honour has gone to Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker as reward for his excellent form.
Walker's teammate James Tedesco has been recalled to the New South Wales side, edging out Penrith's Dylan Edwards.
Blues coach Laurie Daley said Edwards "has done nothing wrong" and was terribly unlucky to miss the squad entirely, with Daley opting not to have a secondary full-back on the bench.
"It's a tough call, obviously both those players deserved to be in the squad but we could only find a place for one," he said.
Recent changes to State of Origin eligibility rules has opened the door for New South Wales to add a few new household names to their side, with Cronulla's Addin Fonua-Blake chosen in the forward pack.
Englishman Victor Radley and New Zealand's Casey McLean are on the bench for the first time, having previously been ineligible due to their international representation.
New South Wales Game 1 squad
1. James Tedesco, 2. Brian To'o, 3. Stephen Crichton, 4. Kotoni Staggs, 5. Tolutau Koula*
6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Nathan Cleary
8. Addin Fonua-Blake*, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Haumole Olakau'atu, 13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Cameron Murray, 15. Victor Radley*, 16. Jacob Saifiti, 17. Blayke Brailey*, 18. Ethan Strange*, 19. Casey McLean*, 20. Dylan Lucas*
(* = uncapped)
Queensland Game 1 squad
1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Selwyn Cobbo, 3. Robert Toia, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Jojo Fifita*
6. Cameron Munster, 7. Sam Walker*
8. Thomas Flegler, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 11. Reuben Cotter, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Max Plath*
14. Briton Nikora*, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Pat Carrigan, 17. Trent Loiero, 18. Ezra Mam, 19. Gehamat Shibasaki, 20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
(* = uncapped)
