KEY POINTS:
If there's one thing Queenslanders dislike, it's being tagged Origin favourites.
Being underdogs has been the Maroons' strongest weapon, and was a principal motivating force behind Arthur Beetson's 1980 side's upset of Goliath proportions.
Now, Queensland are in the unfamiliar position of being overwhelming favourites heading into this
week's series opener and some have even suggested they are on the verge of a new dynasty.
With two games at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, bookies didn't hesitate initially to install them as $1.55 favourites to win the series.
Cast your mind back only 12 months, however, and it was a completely different picture. Some were even questioning the future of Origin football because New South Wales, we were told, would canter to their fourth consecutive series win and fans would lose interest in the interstate 'war'.
But in the flash of a Darren Lockyer intercept, Queensland came back from a 1-0 deficit for a memorable victory. Suddenly the Origin landscape had changed.
They were positively brimming with talent north of the Tweed River, and young talent - Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Karmichael Hunt, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Sam Thaiday, Cooper Cronk, Matt Bowen, Antonio Kaufusi et al.
South of the border, it was a different story and they were supposed to be in disarray following the retirement of Andrew Johns.
Commentator Ben Ikin is dumbfounded by talk of a Queensland dynasty. While he would love this to be the case, given that he pulled on a Maroons jumper 17 times between 1995 and 2003, he recognises Origin has consistently thrown up tight series and talk of dominance has left pundits wiping egg off their faces.
"I think Queensland are going to win it on the back of the combinations they have got between players in key positions - Hunt, Lockyer, Thurston and Smith," Ikin said. "But isn't it ridiculous to think that last year NSW were going to be the team that completely dominated for the fourth year in a row and there was no light at the end of the tunnel for Queensland and then 12 months later it's been twisted the other way?
"There's talk of a Queensland dynasty because of the players we have had to leave out of the backline - Billy Slater, Matt Bowen, Scott Prince, Willie Tonga. But they've effectively done that in the forwards, particularly their backrow - Greg Bird, Paul Gallen...
"For the same reason we could pick two backlines, they could pick two packs. If you sit down with any good judge, they will tell you State of Origin is won up front."
Queensland recognised this and picked backrowers dubbed the "mongrel mob" because of their fearsome defending. The likes of Tonie Carroll, Carl Webb, Dallas Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Nate Myles and Neville Costigan could list their profession as hitmen and will care little for the superstar reputations of their opponents.
The Maroons, as they invariably do, picked on reputation, while NSW picked on form.
They named five Origin debutants, including 20-year-old Knights halfback Jarrod Mullen, but it's a far from inexperienced side as 13 of the 17 have played for Australia.
"It's a bold side, a courageous side, and I really like it," was how one-eyed New South Welshman Andrew Johns summed it up in his newspaper column. "The Blues can win it. The forwards are where Origin games are generally won and lost and our pack is outstanding."
One of the biggest hurdles NSW must overcome, though, is the fact two of the three games will be played at Brisbane. Home advantage is a significant factor.
Most of the 60,000 rabid Maroons supporters that cram into Suncorp on Wednesday would love to see Queensland establish a dynasty but Origin history has shown this is easier said than done.
Teams
QLD: Karmichael Hunt; Brent Tate, Steve Bell, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis; Darren Lockyer (c), Johnathan Thurston; Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Steve Price; Tonie Carroll, Carl Webb; Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Shaun Berrigan, Jacob Lillyman, Nate Myles, Neville Costigan.
NSW: Anthony Minichiello; Matt King, Jamie Lyon, Matt Cooper, Jarryd Hayne; Braith Anasta, Jarrod Mullen; Brent Kite, Danny Buderus (c), Brett White, Nathan Hindmarsh, Willie Mason; Andrew Ryan. Interchange: Luke Bailey, Steve Simpson, Anthony Tupou, Kurt Gidley.
Close quarters
* In 78 games, the two sides can't be separated with 38 wins apiece and two draws.
* NSW have won 12 series to Queensland's 11.
* In 6240 minutes of Origin football, NSW have scored 1242 points compared to Queensland's 1236.
