League: Meninga has utmost faith in Origin novice

Mal Meninga. Photo / Getty Images

The "Queenslander" spirit will ensure Maroons rugby league bolter Dane Nielsen won't be overawed against New South Wales in game one of the State of Origin, coach Mal Meninga says.

The Melbourne centre was confirmed as injured superstar Greg Inglis' replacement yesterday, ensuring he will make his Origin debut next week in Brisbane along with Jharal Yow Yeh.

Brisbane winger Yow Yeh celebrates a Queensland Origin call-up barely a fortnight after making his test debut for Australia.

But the big story was 25-year-old Nielsen, who has racked up only 42 first-grade games since his 2008 NRL debut.

Inglis is expected to be ruled out for up to a month after again injuring the hip that required pre-season surgery.

Asked what Nielsen could offer the side, Meninga said: "He's a proud Queenslander.

"We would like GI [Inglis] and Hodgo [injured Broncos centre Justin Hodges] to be available but Dane's got almost 50 NRL games under his belt, he understands the culture growing up in Queensland. I've got the utmost faith in him."

Nielsen cemented his spot in the Melbourne backline last year, playing 21 NRL games.

Technically, Yow Yeh is another rookie but Meninga said the Brisbane flyer's test experience would ensure he wasn't fazed by the occasion.

"He has already played for Australia and because of that understands a bit more about what rep football is about," Meninga said. "He will bring that experience behind him and he will also play well for Queensland."

QUEENSLAND TEAM

Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Dane Nielsen, Willie Tonga, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Petero Civoniceva, Sam Thaiday, Ashley Harrison, Nate Myles.

Interchange: Cooper Cronk, Corey Parker, Jacob Lillyman, Ben Hannant.

18th man: David Taylor.

- AAP