Queensland have ended the three-year exile of Daly Cherry-Evans, naming the Manly skipper at halfback for State of Origin III.
Cherry-Evans will replace Ben Hunt, who moves to the interchange bench, in the dead rubber at Suncorp Stadium on July 11.
Queensland also confirmed mercurial fullback Billy Slater will become the Maroons’ 14th captain in his final Origin match, replacing Greg Inglis (broken thumb).
Coach Kevin Walters was forced to delay Sunday night’s scheduled naming of their squad until Monday after Inglis broke down in South Sydney’s NRL win over North Queensland.
The Maroons were already reeling from the loss of bench utility Kalyn Ponga (broken thumb) while prop Dylan Napa (knee) was named at 18th man but is not expected to play.
Dane Gagai has been switched to the centres for Inglis with Brisbane’s Corey Oates recalled on the wing.
Gold Coast’s Jai Arrow has moved from bench to starting prop for Napa while Josh Papalii graduated to the starting front row with maligned Queensland prop Jarrod Wallace on the bench.
It is a nightmare start to life after retired Maroons greats Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston, as Queensland try to send out Slater a winner in his 31st and final Origin.
Queensland: Billy Slater (c), Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai, Will Chambers, Corey Oates, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jai Arrow, Andrew McCullough, Josh Papalii, Gavin Cooper, Felise Kaufusi, Josh McGuire. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Jarrod Wallace, Coen Hess, Tim Glasby. 18th man: Dylan Napa.