NRL: Quiet Warrior Jacob Lillyman ready to step up for Maroons

Jacob Lillyman has played seven of Queensland's last nine Origin matches. Photo / Photosport

Feeling "out of sight, out of mind" in New Zealand, Warriors prop Jacob Lillyman admits he must help Queensland's forward pack fire or risk being completely overlooked by Maroons selectors.

Queensland again played the loyalty card to retain the likes of 33-year-old Lillyman and Sydney Roosters backrower Aidan Guerra for Wednesday night's State of Origin series opener at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium despite quiet NRL season starts.

The Maroons' "stick and pick" approach has helped them claim 10 series wins in 12 years.

But Lillyman admitted the pressure was on the Maroons' incumbent forwards this year, especially with Queensland's Origin I 18th man - Gold Coast Titans prop Jarrod Wallace - literally waiting in the wings.

Lillyman conceded the Origin stage may be his best chance for Maroons selectors to gauge his form after feeling a little neglected at the underperforming Warriors.

"I know I am out of sight, out of mind, to be honest," said Lillyman ahead of his 14th Origin game since his 2006 debut.

"I don't think the Warriors games get too much air time over here and that's part of the deal.

"It's been tough times over there, particularly the last two weeks.

"You wonder whether that affects things [with Maroons selectors]."

The 104kg, 1.83m-Lillyman said the Maroons pack had no choice but to step up this year in the absence of test prop Matt Scott (knee) and inspirational lock Corey Parker (retired).

Asked if he felt like he was "in the firing line" with selectors ahead of Origin I, Lillyman said: "Definitely.

"It's hard to assess your form in a team not going that well.

"I have been solid at club level. But you are never fully satisfied.

"I am not an automatic selection like some guys, so I have to keep ticking all the boxes."

Roosters firebrand Dylan Napa will make his Origin debut in the front row stepping up for Scott.

Lillyman believes more changes to the ageing Maroons pack are coming this year.

"There are some good, young guys waiting," said Lillyman, who has played seven out of Queensland's last nine Origins.

"With the nature of the team, there is going to be change implemented over this year. There are guys there ready to step up."

Guerra kept his spot despite averaging just 49 minutes a game for the Roosters this year, the equal lowest amount he's ever played in his eight-year NRL career.

"I was actually pretty confident this year [of selection]," he said. "Last year, I was relieved to get selected, and this year, I was proud that I worked my way back into it."

But Lillyman and Guerra don't have to be told there is pressure on their spots with Wallace entering his first Origin camp as 18th man.

"It is a long series this year. Anything can happen," Wallace said of his Origin prospects.

- AAP