New Queensland coach Billy Slater has no place for NZ Warriors star Reece Walsh in his side for the upcoming State of Origin series opener against New South Wales.
Last year, Walsh received a late injury call-up for the second game of the series, after playing just seven first-grade games, but was denied his debut by a hamstring strain.
Now fully fit, Newcastle Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga reclaims the starting fullback position for game one at Sydney on June 8, as Queensland try to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat last season.
Slater has named four debutants in his gameday squad, headlined by breakthrough Brisbane Broncos sensation Selwyn Cobbo on the wing.
North Queensland Cowboys lock Reuben Cotter make his first Origin appearance, with Auckland-born teammate Jeremiah Nanai and Broncos' Pat Carrigan debuting off the interchange bench.
St George Dragons captain Ben Hunt has won the starting nod at hooker, with Melbourne Storm's Harry Grant as his back-up.
Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will start in the front row, but Slater has overlooked Titans teammates Moeaki Fotuaika and David Fifita.
Cotter's selection leaves no place for South Sydney's Jai Arrow, who is among the reserves.
The proven halves combination of captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster unite again, with the experienced duo to combine with an exciting backline, featuring Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai and Xavier Coates.
The squad will assemble at Brisbane on Monday and will travel to the Gold Coast for their training camp before game one.
Queensland: 1-Kalyn Ponga, 2-Selwyn Cobbo, 3-Valentine Holmes, 4-Dane Gagai, 5-Xavier Coates, 6-Cameron Munster, 7-Daly Cherry-Evans (capt), 8-Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 9-Ben Hunt, 10-Josh Papalii, 11-Kurt Capewell, 12-Felise Kaufusi, 13-Reuben Cotter
Interchange: 14-Harry Grant, 15-Lindsay Collins, 16-Patrick Carrigan, 17-Jeremiah Nanai
Join us at 10:10pm, Wednesday for live updates of State of Origin I or tune into THREE for free-to-air coverage.
