Queensland have been dealt a late State of Origin drama with centre Brenko Lee ruled out just an hour before kick off with a calf injury.

Lee limped from Adelaide Oval after a last-minute fitness test, cruelling his shot at an Origin debut in the 2020 series opener.

He had been injured in training on Tuesday, but Maroons officials had been confident the Melbourne centre would be fit to play.

Phillip Sami will now start as originally named on the wing, with Kurt Capewell and Dane Gagai to start in the centres.

The Maroons had previously considered starting Capewell and Lee in the centres and moving Gagai to the wing, with Sami set to drop out of the squad.

It leaves Queensland with eight debutants, with rain having held off in the South Australian capital despite predictions of showers.

Meanwhile NSW will roll out three debutants, in the form of Clint Gutherson Luke Keary and Junior Paulo.

They will start as per their 1-17.