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Teenage NRL sensation Selwyn Cobbo is one of four debutants named by Queensland coach Billy Slater for the State of Origin series opener.
Queensland's smiling assassin Selwyn Cobbo will soak up everything Billy Slater has to offer as one of four debutants named in the rookie coach's side for this year's State of Origin series opener.
The Brisbane winger, who has scored 10 tries in his past six NRL games, won a hotly-contested race for a spot in the Maroons' backline ahead of teammate Corey Oates and North Queensland pair Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Murray Taulagi.
There are spots on the reserves list for Tabuai-Fidow and Taulagi, while Slater said he would have been comfortable handing Oates a jersey too despite him missing the 22-player squad altogether.
As well as 19-year-old Cobbo, Cowboy Reuben Cotter was "one of the first written down" to debut at lock, while Pat Carrigan and Jeremiah Nanai, also 19, are set to debut from the interchange bench.
"It feels pretty amazing; I wouldn't have thought I'd be in the team this year," Cobbo said.
"I'll take everything he (Slater) offers; he's been there done that.
"I'll be nervous but I'll have the biggest smile on my face. Even when it gets tough, I'll still have the biggest smile because I just love playing."
Slater allowed Cowboys coach Todd Payten to break the news in front of his NRL squad that six players had made the Maroons' 22, with Valentine Holmes at centre and playmaker Tom Dearden effectively 18th man.
But the former Origin fullback enjoyed the call to Cobbo.
"He said thank you a few times," Slater grinned.
"He's a likeable lad and he's taken the game by storm.
"He's really lit the game up - brings so much excitement - but he's doing a lot right that we don't focus on as well.
"Which is a big reason why he's there."
Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will start in the front row but Slater has overlooked Titans' teammates Moeaki Fotuaika and David Fifita.
Cotter's selection means there's also no place for South Sydney's Jai Arrow, who Slater says has been relegated to the reserves due to depth in the position rather than the hotel protocol breach that brought his suspension in last year's series.
St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt has been named at hooker, with Melbourne's Harry Grant in the utility role.
Slater said he was confident Grant would be fit to play despite him remaining in Melbourne as he overcomes a groin niggle and flu, but that Hunt's performances for the Maroons in recent years meant he had earned a starting role in any case.
The Maroons will be based on the Gold Coast for their training camp ahead of game one at Accor Stadium in Sydney on June 8.
Queensland: Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans (capt), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii, Kurt Capewell, Felise Kaufusi, Reuben Cotter. Interchange: Harry Grant, Lindsay Collins, Patrick Carrigan, Jeremiah Nanai. Reserves: Tom Dearden, Jai Arrow, Thomas Flegler, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Murray Taulagi.
