Maroons stick with veterans, Blues look to future in Origin squad announcements

The Queensland Maroons have stuck with their champion veterans for State of Origin Game One, while the NSW Blues have opted for fresh blood.

Both sides held their team announcements today, with no surprises in the Maroons line up.

Brisbane Broncos forward Josh McGuire will make his keenly-anticipated Origin debut off the bench.

The Broncos dominated selection with six players in the Maroons side.

Cherry-Evans was named on the bench despite being hurt in last night's NRL match, with the extent of the injury yet to be determined.

Captain Cameron Smith spoke of Queensland's pain after losing last year's series.

"We're certainly desperate to bring the shield back to Queensland," he said.

"They played extremely well last year, the Blues."

He said it was important to get away to a good start in game one.

Meanwhile, NSW has made some changes from the side that snapped its eight-year losing streak in 2014.

Tough Bulldogs forwards Josh Jackson and David Klemmer making their debuts, while Roosters five-eighth Mitchell Pearce earned a recall.

Hooker Robbie Farah will stand in as captain for the injured Paul Gallen.

Jackson, meanwhile, will replace Gallen at lock.

Farah said it would be a "great honour" to lead the side.

Parramatta flyer Will Hopoate will also make his debut on the wing as lone inclusion from the bottom-of-the-table Eels.

Veterans Luke Lewis and Anthony Watmough were overlooked, while Greg Bird is out suspended, making way for some new blood.

The Sydney Roosters and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs contributed the most players to the NSW team, with four apiece.

QUEENSLAND MAROONS

1. Fullback - Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)

2. Winger - Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos)

3. Centre - Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

4. Centre - Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos)

5. Winger - Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm)

6. Five-eighth - Jonathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)

7. Halfback - Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)

8. Prop - Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)

9. Hooker - Cameron Smith (c) (Melbourne Storm)

10. Prop - Nate Myles (Gold Coast Titans)

11. Second-row - Aidan Guerra (Sydney Roosters)

12. Second-row - Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)

13. Lock - Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)

Bench - Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles), Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos), Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos), Jacob Lillyman (New Zealand Warriors)

18th man - Dylan Napa (Sydney Roosters)

NSW BLUES 

1. Fullback - Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons)

2. Winger - Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)

3. Centre - Josh Morris (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

4. Centre - Michael Jennings (Sydney Roosters)

5. Winger - Will Hopoate (Parramatta Eels)

6. Five-eighth - Mitchell Pearce (Sydney Roosters)

7. Halfback - Trent Hodkinson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

8. Prop - Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)

9. Hooker - Robbie Farah (c) (Wests Tigers)

10. Prop - James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys)

11. Second-row - Beau Scott (Newcastle Knights)

12. Second-row - Ryan Hoffman (New Zealand Warriors)

13. Lock - Josh Jackson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

Bench - Trent Merrin (St George Illawarra Dragons), Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters), David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)