Queenslander !!!
5. Valentine Holmes. Moved from the wing to fullback following the forced withdrawal of Kalyn Ponga. An automatic selection for Queensland before his NFL sojourn, Holmes has hit peak form at fullback in the Cowboys' recent winning run. Has a stunning nine tries in seven Origin appearances, failing to score just once in those seven games.
2. Xavier Coates. Has been impressive on Brisbane's right flank. The towering 20-year-old has eight tries this year and scored in both his Origin appearances last year.
3. Kurt Capewell. The Panthers back-rower had a whirlwind debut Origin series last year and was one of Queensland's best from centre in the game-one win. Comes in fresh off a one-game suspension having produced his best game of the season against Souths in round 11 with 164 metres and a try.
4. Dane Gagai. A Wally Lewis medallist from the wing in 2017, Gagai never fails to bring his best when it comes to Origin. This will be Gagai's second Origin series as a centre and comes in off a game-breaking hat-trick outing against the Eels.
18. Kyle Feldt. With Valentine Holmes moving the fullback to replace Ponga, the giant Cowboys winger gets a start. Watch for Queensland to utilise his aerial skills.
6. Cameron Munster. Another under an injury cloud, Munster hasn't played since round nine due to a foot injury but has been declared available by Storm medicos. Produced one of Origin's great performances in last year's decider to seal a stunning Queensland upset series win.
7. Daly Cherry-Evans. The Queensland captain was as inspirational as his halves partner last year and has found his best form with Manly of late. Trails only Cleary this year for kick metres with 4674 in 12 games and leads all comers for 40/20 kicks with three this season.
8. Christian Welch. The Storm big man sat out his side's round-12 win over Brisbane with knee soreness but is not in doubt for Origin I. One of the form props of the competition, Welch's 32 offloads are the second-most in the NRL this year.
9. Harry Grant. Has declared himself fit to play and prepared to play big minutes despite a hamstring strain keeping him off the field since round nine. Makes more metres per game (92), equal with clubmate Brandon Smith, and has five try assists in as many games this year.
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. The Titans firebrand was a key plank of the Maroons' upset last year and had a memorable running battle with Payne Haas. The two will no doubt look to renew their rivalry with Fa'asuamaleaui's aggressive running game (143 average metres and 25 busts) a feature of his play for Gold Coast this year.
11. Felise Kaufusi. The Storm back-rower successfully beat his tripping charge at the judiciary on Tuesday night and is available for game one. Played every minute of last year's series and helps marshal one of the most impregnable right edges in the NRL at Melbourne.
12. David Fifita. The Gold Coast wrecking ball missed last year's series with injury but has been dynamic this year, with his 78 busts the most of any player this year and easily the most of any forward. His 28 offloads are the third most in the NRL through 12 rounds.
13. Jai Arrow. The Rabbitohs lock took to Origin like a duck to water in his 2018 debut and he ruffled some blue feathers with his rough treatment of James Tedesco last year. This will be his first Origin start in his preferred lock role after five bench starts and two at prop so far.
14. AJ Brimson. Yet another Maroon battling injury, the Titans fullback hobbled off in round 12 with knee bruising but has said he is in no doubt for Origin I. Had a lightning debut with a try in the upset game one win last year before joining the Maroons injury curse and missing the rest of the series.
15. Jaydn Su'A. Played all three Origins last year and started this year strongly before being dropped by Souths coach Wayne Bennett last week in a host of changes following the Penrith loss. One of the game's real hit-men, his physicality on an edge will keep the Blues halves on notice.
16. Moeaki Fotuaika. The Titans bench weapon has been churning through mammoth numbers of late. His 156 metres per game is fifth-best among all middle forwards and his 10.6 metres per hit-up is third best among middle forwards.
17. Joe Ofahengaue. The former Bronco paid the price for a drop-off in form at Brisbane last year, losing his Origin spot. Has fought back admirably at new club the Wests Tigers this year, finding a home in the No.13 jersey and returning to the Origin arena.
19. Reed Mahoney. Unlucky not to be in the 17, the in-form Eels hooker will come straight in if any of Ponga, Brimson or Grant fail to prove their fitness. His ball-playing has improved dramatically with 10 try-assists in 2021.
20. Coen Hess. Will push onto the bench if Kaufusi fails to overturn a tripping charge. Struggled for form last year but has a new lease on life as a middle forward under Todd Payten, upping his work-rate with reduced minutes and helping his team win five of seven matches since his move to the middle.