EXCLUSIVE: Billy Slater's shock pick could be 'masterstroke' that kills off Blues attack
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Maroons great Darius Boyd believes Queensland will exploit the size of the Blues pack and that Billy Slater's selections reflect what's needed to dominate the Origin arena.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports' QLDER, Boyd said having players like Max Plath in the team is an indication of how Slater wants to play.
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Boyd, who played 28 games for the Maroons, pointed to the starting middle forwards for NSW as an area of emphasis for the Queenslanders.
"I think they've picked a really big pack, some of their starting middle and (Haumole) Olakau'atu on the edge there as well," he said.
"When you think about Origin, predominantly over history, it's been guys that can really make their mark and play long minutes and their footwork and speed through the middle.
Max Plath has been tipped to make a difference for Queensland. NRL Imagery
"The way we've picked our side - I think of Max Plath there in the middle, for example, his craftiness, maybe that's something that we can attack their middle third with and also then get our spine on the front foot as well."
Plath was arguably the biggest shock selection of last week's team announcements.
The Dolphins star is the son of John Plath, who played 149 first grade games for the Broncos but never played State of Origin.
Plath initially found his way to the Broncos as a half in his younger years but was forced into a positional change with Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds in front of him.
That led him to Wynnum Manly in the Queensland Cup and eventually the Dolphins, where he's made his mark at the back of the scrum.
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Peter Ryan, John Plath and Andrew Gee of the Broncos celebrate victory in 1997. Getty
And his form has been so strong, Slater opted to pick him in the starting side ahead of Pat Carrigan, who was a mainstay in the No.13 jersey for the Maroons.
NSW great Andrew Johns lauded Plath's selection, saying the pressure he puts on Nathan Cleary from marker will be crucial.
"I think the selection of Max Plath at lock is a masterstroke," Johns said on Wide World of Sports' Immortal Behaviour.
"He'll be just getting out and harassing the first receivers. Think about the Bulldogs when they beat Penrith. They were just harassing Nathan from the inside and making him play early.
"Queensland game three last year just totally nullified our left side attack to Latrell with the fast moving defence coming from the inside.
"So if you can attack the half from the inside at marker or that first defender, that'll be Max Plath's job.
"He'll be agitating, he'll be just screaming from the inside from marker and that first defender.
"I think it's a great selection."
Plath will run onto Accor Stadium in Sydney with the Maroons on Wednesday night.
