Blues coach and Indigenous team of the century five-eighth Laurie Daley won't be taking Queensland's playmaker changes lightly in game two at Perth next week, warning "we'll have our hands full" controlling their new pairing.
Maroons coach Billy Slater confirmed the speculated dropping of veteran and long-time skipper Daly Cherry-Evans on Monday morning ahead of their task to save the series, with North Queensland's Tom Dearden promoted from his bench role to fill the no.7 jumper.
Dearden's partner Cameron Munster was announced as new Queensland captain on Tuesday.
"Tom Dearden, I think anyone that's heard me on my radio program, I speak so highly of him, so glowingly of him, and certainly they are a threat when he's on the field.
"I thought when he came on in game one, he did a tremendous job…he's an outstanding player.
"We'll have our hands full.
"That's something, in game one, we controlled really well. But in game two we'll have to be a lot better, because he and Munster teaming up together, their running threat is massive."
The Blues held off until the conclusion of round 14 on Monday evening to announce their squad ahead of a chance to wrap the series on Wednesday week, helping confirm just a single change to the starting line up.
Mitchell Barnett was the sole forced adjustment after suffering an ACL rupture the weekend previous, with Max King coming in to fill the position at no.8, and Matt Burton now at 18th man.
Stefano Utoikamanu slots into the bench, with Rabbitohs and Panthers forwards Keaon Koloamatangi and Lindsay Smith were named in the extended squad as Haumole Olakau'atu and Campbell Graham were withdrawn for the birth of a child and injury, respectively.
Indigenous stars Latrell Mitchell and Connor Watson retained their spots in the NSW side.
Alongside Cherry-Evans, game one debutant Beau Fermor was also dropped from Slater's Queensland side.
Selected in the squad still a month shy of returning to first grade with the Broncos, Ezra Mam is at 18th man as halves cover for the Maroons.
Speaking yesterday, Slater backed the decision surrounding Mam saying "he's the right person for that position right now" and asking any doubters "Have you watched the couple of games back? He's been pretty good".
After declaring his readiness for a recall, Mam's clubland teammate Reece Walsh was given a version of good news by Slater, who said he had "no doubt" the fullback was ready if and when called upon.
"I consider everything, and I watch everything. It was great to see Reese back playing the way that he was (at the weekend)," Slater said of Walsh.
"He's got a real spring in his step and a real energy about him, and I felt he made a real difference to the Broncos performance.
"Absolutely, there's consideration all the time, but you've got to remember when you throw a name up, you've got to take one out, and we just feel that the ones that we have at the moment are the right ones."
Torres Strait pair, 2023 player of the series Reuben Cotter and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have held their spots in the Maroons side after quiet series openers.
Asked by a reporter on Tuesday if Queensland's famed 'pick and stick' ethos was 'dead', Daley said "I've never been sort of one to believe all those things".
"I've got the greatest respect for Billy. Billy knows what he's doing. He's a smart operator, wonderful coach, and he'll have him primed to go over there in Perth…Billy will have them up and ready, so we're going to be able to be ready as well."
After a comprehensive 18-6 win at Suncorp, dampened by failure to convert their four tries, Daley reminded his side "I think we can get a lot better".
"If you turn up and you're not quite ready to go, then the opposition will find a way to beat you," Daley said on Tuesday, "So for us, it's about focusing on game two and being as well prepared as what we were in game one. If we do that we'll give ourselves every opportunity to win."
Men's State of Origin game two is set for Perth next Wednesday.
