Billy Slater and Brad Fittler have both named their squads for the first State of Origin game, with plenty of surprises among their respective lineups.
The pinnacle of rugby league went down to the wire last year, with Queensland capturing an unlikely 2-1 series victory thanks to some late Ben Hunt heroics in the decider.
NSW were without some big names for the 2022 edition of State of Origin and were set to welcome back Latrell Mitchell in the centres. However, the Rabbitohs superstar has now been ruled out with a calf injury.
The Sporting News has all the latest team news ahead of the Origin opener below.
NSW Blues Game 1 confirmed team list and squad
1. James Tedesco
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Tom Trbojevic
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Brian To'o
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Tevita Pangai Junior
9. Api Koroisau
10. Payne Haas
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Hudson Young
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Junior Paulo
15. Cameron Murray
16. Liam Martin
17. Nicho Hynes
18th man: Matt Burton
NSW Blues team news
NSW will line up as announced, with head coach Brad Fittler sticking with the 1-17 outfit he named early in camp.
Latrell Mitchell will miss the State of Origin opener after sustaining a calf injury. The Rabbitohs star suffered the injury at training, with scans later revealing a strain that has ruled him out of the series opener. Stephen Crichton has slotted into the centres, with Matt Burton replacing him as the 18th man.
Nathan Cleary has a tooth infection according to a report from Channel Nine, but is expected to line up at halfback.
MORE BREAKING NEWS: Blues on alert as Nathan Cleary has an infected tooth. Likely to play but Nicho Hynes told to be ready @9NewsSyd @NRLonNine https://t.co/3zmIkaclAj
— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) May 29, 2023
Payne Haas suffered an ankle sprain at Blues training on Friday, with team officials telling reporters his early departure from the paddock is only precautionary. He participated in full-contact training on Sunday though, seemingly unaffected by his ankle.
After missing the 2022 campaign for NSW, Tom Trbojevic looks set to overcome concerns over a groin injury and his fitness, with the Manly star performing well in last week's clash with Canberra and named in the centres.
His brother Jake will miss the opener however, with the Manly forward withdrawing due to a lingering calf injury and replaced in the side by Tevita Pangai Junior.
Api Koroisau's performance in Round 12 was enough to see him edge out Damien Cook for the starting hooker position.
Meanwhile, Jarome Luai has won the race for the No.6 jumper, with Nicho Hynes to debut off the bench.
Second-rower Keaon Koloamatangi looked in line for an Origin debut, but a syndesmosis issue has ruled him out, opening the door for Canberra's Hudson Young.
Liam Martin has returned from a hamstring injury and has been selected on the bench alongside Cameron Murray, while Tyson Frizell will return to the side for the first time since 2020.
QLD Maroons Game 1 confirmed team list and squad
1. Reece Walsh
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
15. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
9. Ben Hunt
16. Reuben Cotter
11. Tom Gilbert
12. David Fifita
13. Patrick Carrigan
8. Tom Flegler
10. Lindsay Collins
14. Harry Grant
17. Jai Arrow
18th man: Tom Dearden
QLD Maroons team news
Two late changes for Queensland, with front-rowers Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Reuben Cotter coming into the starting lineup in place of Tom Flegler and Lindsay Collins.
Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai have been axed by the Maroons in a major selection call from Billy Slater. Reece Walsh is set to earn his Origin debut at fullback, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will return in the centres.
'The Hammer' will start on the left edge for the Maroons with Val Holmes switching over to the right edge where he will mark up against Crichton.
Jeremiah Nanai's four-week suspension means he will miss the series opener, while Felise Kaufusi has also been rubbed out.
David Fifita and Tom Gilbert will start in the second-row, with Jai Arrow to come off the bench.
Meanwhile, Queensland have dispelled rumours that Ben Hunt would be introduced off the interchange with the Dragons' skipper set to wear the No.9 jersey with Harry Grant injected off the pine.
