BRISBANE, Australia — Queensland will blood three new players, including teenager David Fifita, in the State of Origin opener against New South Wales as they attempt to wrest back the annual interstate series, it was announced Monday.

The injection of rising talent also sees West Tigers utility Moses Mbye and Brisbane Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue given an opportunity in the first of three games against the Blues in Brisbane on June 5.

Prop Fifita is the second teenager to be handed a chance to shine in the fiercely contested showdown after New South Wales included his Broncos teammate Payne Haas in their 17-man team on Sunday.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters is yet to name a captain but it is expected to be the experienced Daly Cherry-Evans, despite the Manly halfback battling an ankle injury.

There are seven changes to the team that won the final dead rubber game 18-12 last year, with Walters missing retired greats Billy Slater and former skipper Greg Inglis, who last week checked into a clinic to treat mental health issues.

He is also without injured Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough, while several other players were dumped.

Queensland have dominated the Origin battle in recent years, but NSW turned the tables in 2018, winning the opening games in Melbourne (22-12) and Sydney (18-14) before the Maroons clinched the final match at Brisbane.

Queensland (1-17): Kalyn Ponga, Corey Oates, Michael Morgan, Will Chambers, Dane Gagai, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jai Arrow, Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii, Felise Kaufusi, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire

Interchange: Moses Mbye, Joe Ofahengaue, Dylan Napa, David Fifita. — AFP