State of Origin is just around the corner, and the naming of the two squads has brought with it a few surprises.

Mal Meninga, Queensland coach and former Queensland legend, has selected one of the most exciting backlines in recent history. Storm fullback Billy Slater will rock into the highly contentious fullback position ahead of Matt Bowan, while Karmichael Hunt has been brought in at five eigth in place of the injured Lockyer.

Brent Tate will front up on the wing, which will surprise a few who were claiming his 'rep career was over'.

Oops.

Bronco's enforcer Ben Hannant is the only newcomer to the Maroon's - Meninga has rewarded the youngster's solid start to the NRL season with a debut, and he'll run off the bench.
Making a much anticipated return to the side (for us Kiwi's, anyway) is former Paramatta and Warriors dummy half PJ Marsh. After a career-threatening neck injury playing for the Warriors, Marsh will be looking to make the most of his opportunity to perform again on the grand stage.

Over in the New South Wales camp, coach Craig Bellamy has selected four new comers- including young half-back Peter Wallace, who has flourised under the guidance of Wayne Bennett at Brisbane. Quite surprisingly, Wallace beat out the more experience Brett Finch, Brett Kimorly, and last years debutant Jarred Mullen. A nice move from Bellamy - Wallace definitely has the makings of a superstar, and we predict a long Origin career.

Come on, Peter - don't make us look stupid.

The other debutants, probably less surprisingly, are Anthony Laffranchi, Ben Cross, and Anthony Quinn.

Kurt Gidley, Luke Bailey and Steve Simpson are on the injured list for the Blue's, while Nathan Hindmarsh, Andrew Ryan, and Braith Anasta have been overlooked for Origin One.

The 'hard-done-by' award this week, though, goes to Brent Kite. After playing in the Centenary Test last weekend, he'll miss out on Origin One. A testament to the quality of Origin football, perhaps?

Lets get frank - on paper, Queensland look so dominant over the Blue's it's scary. But this is Origin, sports fans, and if there's one thing the history of this great series has taught us, it's that picking an Origin winner is damn near impossible.

So we're not even going to try, sorry - it'll just end in tears.