Queensland coach Kevin Walters says Ben Hunt will have the chance to make the maroon No.7 jersey his own for the foreseeable future.
The Dragons halfback was chosen for game one of the 2018 series, replacing Cooper Cronk after his retirement from representative football.
Hunt beat out Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans and Cowboys half Michael Morgan for the role as Queensland look to a mostly new spine.
Hunt will be joined in the halves by Melbourne’s Cameron Munster, while Brisbane’s Andrew McCullogh was named at hooker.
The 28-year-old Hunt picked up a leg injury in St George Illawarra’s loss to Penrith on Saturday night but is expected to recover in time for game one in Melbourne next Wednesday night.
He was named on the bench for Queensland’s win in game three last year and has been rewarded for an outstanding start to 2018 where he has led the Dragons to the top of the NRL table.
“We’re very fortunate. No Thurston, no Cronk but in comes Ben Hunt and Cameron Munster who are I think the future for the Maroons,” Walters said at the official team announcement on Monday.
“I’m very confident he’ll be right. We’ve had some conversations with Ben. Obviously he’s got a bit of work in front of him to get his injury right. It’s some sort of cork.
“I’ve really liked working with Ben when I was at the Broncos. I can see the skill level and the desire in Ben to become a really good halfback. We’ve seen that progression, especially this year at the Dragons and I expect that to continue at the next level for Queensland.
“I think [Hunt and Munster are] both natural footballers. I think they’re both from Rockhampton or thereabouts. Ben is a little bit older than Cameron. But I just like the way they play.
“I know they’re going to gel well together on the field and off the field. And I think it’s very exciting for Queenslanders to get this sort of combination for game one. And Andrew McCullogh falls into that as well because he’s played a lot of football with Ben Hunt and that’s going to be a big asset for us as well.”
As well as Cronk, Queensland will be without veterans Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith who also retired from rep football, while Darius Boyd and Matt Scott have been dropped.
Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes was the main beneficiary, retaining his spot on the left wing after his hat-trick of tries in game three last season.
The 22-year-old was outstanding for Australia during the World Cup and has hit form at the right time, with Queensland selector Gene Miles saying Holmes’ hat-trick against Newcastle on Sunday sealed his position.
“You can’t ignore the form of Val. Val’s finished off the year really, really well last year,” Miles said.
“[He] started the year a little bit slow [but] he’s gradually improved over the 12 rounds and he probably iced it yesterday with the trifecta of tries.”
Walters dismissed accusations that Queensland selectors had lacked loyalty in dropping veterans Boyd and Scott.
“Valentine Holmes scored three tries in game three of last year. People say we aren’t being loyal to Queensland. Well we are being loyal to Queensland. We’re being loyal to those players that did the job in game three last year,” he said.
“And Valentine, some of the tries he scored in last year’s game will stay with me. He’s done a great job for Queensland when given the opportunity. Not that Darius hasn’t. But just at the moment we feel he’s our best option on the left wing.”
Both Hunt and Holmes will be in line for goal kicking duties for Queensland with the losses of Thurston and Smith despite neither being first choice kicker for their club.
South Sydney centre Greg Inglis was named as Queensland’s new captain.
Queensland team for 2018 State of Origin game one
Billy Slater, Dane Gagai, Greg Inglis (c), Will Chambers, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Ben Hunt, Dylan Napa, Andrew McCullough, Jarrod Wallace, Gavin Cooper, Felise Kaufusi, Josh McGuire. Michael Morgan, Josh Papalii, Coen Hess, Jai Arrow.