For Cameron Smith, Queensland's changing of the guard is rekindling memories of 2006 - the year the Maroons launched State of Origin's greatest dynasty.
Queensland will field their most inexperienced pack in 20 years for game two at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.
Selectors have wielded the axe in the wake of the Maroons' 28-4 series-opening loss to NSW in Brisbane.
Maroons captain Smith all but confirmed the Origin careers of veteran forwards Nate Myles, Jacob Lillyman and Sam Thaiday were over after they were axed among seven changes for game two - the Maroons' biggest shakeup in 12 years.
Champion hooker Smith said the arrival of new faces in the Queensland camp - including four debutants - had reminded him of the pivotal series 11 years ago.
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In 2006, the Maroons named seven rookies for game one, including Myles, Sam Thaiday, Greg Inglis and Matt Scott.
The year became a turning point in Origin history as Queensland began a record run of eight straight series and have now claimed 10 of the past 11.
Myles and Thaiday were among the Origin I casualties ahead of Wednesday night's game two after the Maroons pack was steamrolled in the series opener.
"The players left out of this game, it's hard to see those guys go but the way I see it we should celebrate what those guys have done for this state," Smith said.
"It's just time for those guys to move on and see some young guys come in.
"The year 2006 was the same story. Scott, Myles, Thaiday and Inglis came in and they went on to win 10 Origin series which is a pretty impressive thing but that era was always going to end.
"It is a changing of the guard in a way but it was inevitable."
Three rookies will be asked to do what the likes of Myles and Thaiday, veterans of a combined 61 Origins, could not - stop NSW's rampaging pack.
Prop Jarrod Wallace will start for Queensland with fellow forward debutants Coen Hess and bolter Tim Glasby on the bench on Wednesday night.
"It's a huge challenge no doubt about that," Smith said.
"But I am looking forward to what they can bring."
Veteran playmaker Johnathan Thurston will begin his Origin swansong after being cleared of a knee injury and head knock sustained at training on Sunday.
He will retire from representative footy after the 2017 World Cup.
"He's a definite starter. He's fine," Smith said.
"He has copped worse than that."
Queensland welcome back Thurston from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss game one, ending his record run of 36 straight Origins.
The Maroons fly into Sydney on Monday night.
Queensland are hoping to become the first Maroons side since 1987 to claim a series by winning games in Sydney and then Brisbane after losing a home opener.
