NSW v Queensland - Teams

New South Wales have picked seven State of Origin debutants for the opening match of the annual series against Queensland.

At Etihad Stadium, Wednesday June 3, KO: 11am (BST)

New South Wales have picked seven State of Origin debutants for the opening match of the annual series against Queensland in Melbourne on June 3. The Blues, looking to avoid an unprecedented fourth straight defeat in the best-of-three series, have omitted Australian internationals Anthony Laffranchi and Anthony Watmough. Canberra's Terry Campese, Penrith centre Michael Jennings, Newcastle winger James McManus, Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah and St George Illawarra forward trio Ben Creagh, Justin Poore and Michael Weyman are the seven rookies named in coach Craig Bellamy's starting line-up. Campese links up with Brisbane's Peter Wallace in the halves, while Jennings is paired alongside Manly's Jamie Lyon in the centres. Queensland have stuck with an experienced team, led by Kangaroos skipper Darren Lockyer, who missed the 2008 series due to a knee injury. The Maroons have the entire back-line from Australia's most-recent Test outing, a 38-10 victory over New Zealand on May 8, at their disposal. Billy Slater has been given the nod at full-back, meaning Karmichael Hunt must be content with a place on the bench. Hooker Cameron Smith headlines a pack containing props Steven Price and Petero Civoniceva. Veteran back rower Michael Crocker is included on the bench. "We showed a fair bit of faith and loyalty with the current bunch of players and we're really happy with the squad," said Queensland coach Mal Meninga. Queensland: B Slater, D Boyd, G Inglis, J Hodges, I Folau, D Lockyer (capt), J Thurston; S Price, C Smith, P Civoniceva, A Harrison, S Thaiday, D Johnson
Replacements: K Hunt, B Hannant, N Myles, M Crocker New South Wales: K Gidley (capt), J Hayne, J Lyon, M Jennings, J McManus, T Campese, P Wallace; B Kite, R Farah, L Bailey, B Creagh, L O'Donnell, P Gallen
Replacements: C Wing, J Poore, G Stewart, M Weyman