EXCLUSIVE: Queensland selector Lockyer names nine-game NRL rookie who could knock Kalyn Ponga out of Maroons team

Queensland legend Darren Lockyer has thrown up a Maroons smokey who could knock Kalyn Ponga out of the fullback spot.

Ponga is considered the frontrunner to wear the No.1 jumper for the State of Origin opener on May 28.

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He was in a two-horse race with Broncos custodian Reece Walsh until the latter got injured.

But a left-field alternative has been suggested by Lockyer, who sits on the selection panel alongside coach Billy Slater and Gene Miles.

On Wide World of Sports' QLDER it was speculated Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow could steal the fullback spot from Ponga.

Tabuai-Fidow has played all seven Origin games at centre for Queensland but wears the No.1 at club level and is in form.

His Maroons switch would open a different spot in the backline, which Lockyer says could be filled by nine-game Roosters rookie Robert Toia.

If Toia's form forced Slater to pick him for a debut it could push Tabuai-Fidow to fullback and Ponga out of the team altogether.

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"I think there's probably positions in Billy's mind that are still up in the air, and the next couple of weeks might determine who gets the nod on a couple of positions," Lockyer said.

"We mentioned the new generation coming through. This is hypothetical, but if you move Hammer (Tabuai-Fidow) who have you got coming in to centre?

"They've got Rob Toia... so there's all these sort of conversations.

"There might be some names sitting beside other names (and) the next couple of weeks will determine who's going to get it."

Toia, 20, made his NRL debut in round one this season and has proven why the Chooks have had a high opinion of him for a number of years.

He was born in New Zealand but represented Queensland in under 19s Origin, and is eligible for the Maroons as well as the Kiwis.

It would be an astonishing gamble for Slater to take a chance on the youngster who only has a handful of games at the top level to his name.

But the coach may be looking for a shake-up after losing the coveted shield to New South Wales last year.

Ponga played game three of that series after initially being snubbed, although he came off the bench, with Walsh retaining his fullback spot.

Ponga missed the entire 2023 series after battling concussion early in the year.

He was considered the leading contender for the job this year until the Knights lost five games in a row and their attack fell apart, scoring just 36 points in five weeks.

One position Lockyer can't see changing is the halfback and captaincy - both held by Daly Cherry-Evans.

There's been a suggestion Cherry-Evans could lose his spot to in-form Cowboys playmaker Tom Dearden, who could partner Cameron Munster in the halves, although that combination is limited by the fact that both Munster and Dearden operate primarily on the left edge.

"When you lose the previous series I think you all feel a little bit of pressure, but it's not like we were embarrassed," Lockyer said.

"Billy would be out there looking at other options, in terms of what his depth's like. There are definitely players there who are incumbents who are safe in their position.

"He's also probably thinking not just this game and this series, but what's coming through next. That will bring up names that, you probably don't think they're ready, but he's got to start thinking about the next generation too."

Fellow Maroons legend Wally Lewis agrees Queensland won't be dumping Cherry-Evans.

Slater will announced his squad for game one on May 19.