Queensland name team for State of Origin opener

Queensland have named two debutants in their squad for the State of Origin opener against New South Wales on June 1.

Justin O'Neill and Corey Oates are the only two changes to the team that clinched last year's series in Brisbane, replacing the retired Justin Hodges and injured Will Chambers.

The team is dominated by players from the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys who, between them, supply 10 of the 17 named.

Among them is Darius Boyd, who will fill the full-back role, with Greg Inglis reverting to his former position at left centre.

Kevin Walters, who replaces Mal Meninga as coach, said: "It's been a very successful era for the State of Origin side.

"Just looking at the players, there's a couple of boys into the team fresh but also a lot of faces that have done Queensland proud for the last 10 years.

"There's plenty of talent to work with and that's something I'm very much looking forward to."

Queensland have won the series in nine of the last 10 seasons, with the 2016 opener taking place at ANZ Stadium in Sydney next Wednesday. The other fixtures are in Brisbane (June 22) and Sydney again (July 13).

Queensland: Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos), Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos), Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Justin O`Neill (North Queensland Cowboys), Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm), Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys), Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm/capt), Nate Myles (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos), Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys), Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos), Aidan Guerra (Sydney Roosters), Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)