Moses Mbye's versatility got him the nod to make his State of Origin debut in jersey number 14 for Queensland.
Maroons coach Kevin Walters said it was the toughest position to select, but the Tigers captain's ability to fill in across the park was the decisive factor.
"Certainly the 14 position (was the hardest to select)," Walters said on Big Sports Breakfast on Monday morning before the team was announced.
"We've got some great options there, so we had to make sure we get that right and the rest of the team pretty much picks itself."
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When the team was announced, Mbye joined Broncos forwards Joe Ofahengaue and David Fifita as the three debutants in the squad.
Walters referred to Mbye's experience in the number nine jersey as important, with Queensland selecting Dragons halfback Ben Hunt to play at hooker.
"He's captain of the Tigers and plays a number of positions for us so that's vital at Origin level," Walters said.
"He doesn't just play those positions, he does it with a lot of class and a lot of spirit.
"We know that he's played hooker in a grand final for the Bulldogs, he's played centre, five-eighth, fullback, so he's a player of great utility value which is very important for the Maroons in 2019."
Mbye didn't play in round 11 having suffered a groin strain at training on Friday, though Walters is confident he will be in full training early in the week.
With Hunt at number nine and Michael Morgan at centre, Queensland are taking some slight gambles in playing players out of position, while halfback, and the man expected to be announced captain, Daly Cherry-Evans, is under an injury cloud.
DCE had ankle surgery after picking up an injury in round seven, though his recovery is well ahead of schedule.
Titans forward Jai Arrow was also selected despite not featuring last weekend due to a hip flexor injury, but Walters has no doubt the trio will be right to go.
"We are expecting all those players to be training with the team early in the week," Walters said.
"We've got our major training sessions on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and I expect all those players to be part of that."
Melbourne forward Tim Glasby has been named as 18th man for the game at Suncorp Stadium on June 5.
