QUEENSLAND’S new State of Origin era has begun, with rookie coach Kevin Walters naming two debutants among a new-look Maroons squad for Game 1 at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on June 1.

While the core of the Queensland team that humiliated NSW 52-6 in Game 3 of last year’s series remains intact, there is no denying that the 2016 Maroons carry a new feeling to them.

First and foremost is the appointment of Walters, who replaces Mal Meninga after an unprecedented decade of dominance for Queensland.

Walters too brings with him a largely new off-field staff, and two fresh faces to the playing squad as well in outside backs Corey Oates and Justin O’Neill.

A number of changes were forced by the hand of fate, with the Maroons needing to find two new centres following the retirement of Justin Hodges and the injury to Melbourne’s Will Chambers.

So too at fullback, with Billy Slater once again sidelined by the shoulder injury he suffered in last year’s series.

While replacing such high-calibre players would test most teams, Queensland’s remarkable playing depth at the moment made finding answers to such pressing questions a comparatively easy task.

Darius Boyd, in possibly the form of his career and Australia’s incumbent Test fullback, finally gets his chance in the Maroons No.1 jersey after manufacturing himself into a try-scoring machine on the wing for his 23 Origin matches.

His grip on the custodian role sees Greg Inglis assume his regular position for Queensland at left centre, partnering newcomer Oates in what has the potential to be one of the most potent combinations ever seen in Origin football.

On the other side, O’Neill will partner Dane Gagai, who was so impressive when given his chance in the Maroons jersey last year.

From there, the names all fell into place – Thurston, Cronk, Scott, Smith, Myles, Gillett, Thaiday and Parker, with Michael Morgan, Josh McGuire, Aidan Guerra and Josh Papalii on the bench.

FOGS executive chairman Gene Miles, also a Queensland selector, said the side was picked on form and balance, looking ahead to the huge challenge of having to win two games in Sydney to retain the Origin shield.

“I think there is a good blend of old and new, some great experience combined with the excitement and energy that some new blood can bring,” Gene said.

“We are once again fortunate enough to be in the situation where the bulk of our key guys are available, and we have built the team around them.

“Both Corey and Justin deserve their selection, and I think they will do Queensland proud.

“We have all been aware of Corey’s potential for some time now, but he has been able to translate that potential into good form and crucial big-match experience and we feel he is ready to take the next step up.

“Justin has obviously been knocking on the door for selection for sometime, and over the past year or so he has really added that consistency to his performances that we had been hoping to see.

“I think the team is terrifically strong overall. We have the luxury of being able to select three current Kangaroos players on our bench. And the fourth guy on our bench, Aidan Guerra, was 18th man for Australia – so that gives you an idea of the depth we are enjoying at the moment.”

NSW coach Laurie Daley has named a 19-man squad for Game 1, hoping to keep Queenslanders guessing with the final make-up of his starting 17. But, given the names selected and their positional specialties, a likely Blues 17 is not too difficult to imagine.

QUEENSLAND: 1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Justin O’Neill, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Johnathan Thurston, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Matt Scott, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nate Myles, 11. Matt Gillett, 12. Sam Thaiday, 13. Corey Parker. Interchange: 14. Michael Morgan, 15 Josh McGuire, 16. Aidan Guerra, 17. Josh Papalii.

NSW (likely): 1. Matt Moylan, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Michael Jennings, 5. Josh Mansour, 6. James Maloney. 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Paul Gallen (C) 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Josh Jackson, 13. Greg Bird. Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker, 15. David Klemmer, 16. Andrew Fifita, 17. James Tamou, 18. Tyson Frizell, 19. Josh Morris.