FORMER State of Origin players Matt Cooper and Brent Tate have given their tick of approval to the two respective sides chosen for game one of the series on Wednesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While in Dubbo on Friday as part of the Road to Origin tour, the pair spoke about their respective states' squad for the match at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.
Tate, who played 23 times for the Maroons, admitted there were no great surprises in this year's Queensland team, but was delighted to see players from two of his former NRL clubs gain selection.
Brisbane winger Corey Oates and North Queensland centre Justin O'Neill have both been named to make their debuts in the match, which will also be Kevin Walters' first as Queensland coach.
"It's pretty as per usual but Corey Oates is great and Justin O'Neill has been in great form," Tate said.
"It's a big challenge, obviously with 'Kevvie' being the coach for the first time this year so it will be interesting to see if they change the way they play a little but I think they picked a really good team."
O'Neill has been in stellar form for the defending premiers this year in the NRL but Tate, who played 68 matches in a three-year stint with the Cowboys, has warned him Origin is a whole other beast.
"The back end of last year he was in great form and in the grand final and this year he has gone to another level again so he really deserves his chance," he said.
"It will be a big test for him, obviously Origin is a whole other level but he deserves his chance and I hope he plays well."
Cooper was as equally positive about the NSW side and was particularity excited about debutantes named by coach Laurie Daley.
Fullback Matt Moylan was one the former St George Illawarra Dragon singled out while Adam Reynolds, Josh Mansour and Dylan Walker will make their debuts as NSW look to bounce back from the 52-6 mauling they received in game three of last year's series.
"It's the best we could have picked and they picked some new faces and we had to do that," Cooper said.
"We got embarrassed in game three last year and we had to change the side and get some young talented players in there.
"I'm very excited about Matt Moylan at fullback. He's a superstar in the making so I'm excited to see how he goes."
