League: Steve Price is right for Queensland

Warriors captain and Queensland State of Origin player Steve Price. Herald file picture

A shift across the Tasman has not seen Steve Price move out of the representative spotlight.

The Warriors captain has been named in the Queensland team for the opening game in the State of Origin series against New South Wales next Wednesday.

Despite being a veteran of 16 State of Origin games, Price still admits to being nervous before the weekend's big phone call and even after a number of years, getting the call-up is such a buzz.

Price was never worried about moving to the Warriors and being put on the back burner for a Queensland call-up, as the Warriors are still part of the NRL and the selectors are watching.

The Queensland side features two new caps, Cowboys Ty Williams and Johnathan Thurston as well as former All Black Brad Thorn, who will play his first Origin for Queensland since 2000.

Price's only concern is recovering from a small poke in the eye after the weekend's loss to the Roosters.

He says the eye is a little red but he has ointment and should be right in a few days.

The Queensland side heads to Rockhampton for a few days preparation ahead of the match in Brisbane.

Price will not be available for the Warriors in the NRL this weekend.

* Queensland team for the opening match of the 2005 State of Origin rugby league series at Suncorp Stadium on May 25:

Billy Slater, Ty Williams, Shaun Berrigan, Paul Bowman, Matt Sing, Darren Lockyer (captain), Johnathan Thurston, Steve Price, Cameron Smith, Petero Civoniceva, Michael Crocker, Brad Thorn, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: Ben Ross, Carl Webb, Chris Flannery, Matt Bowen

- NEWSTALK ZB