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Lockyer, Walters new Qld Origin selectors

Queensland have unveiled a new look State of Origin team selection panel featuring Darren Lockyer and coach Kevin Walters.

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Source: AAP


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Darren Lockyer and coach Kevin Walters have been unveiled as the new members of the Queensland State of Origin team selection panel.

Maroons great Gene Miles has been named chairman of the three-man brains trust.

Former Queensland captain Lockyer - a 36-game Origin veteran - and Walters replace long-term selection panel members Des Morris and Allan Smith.

Morris and Smith oversaw Queensland's dominant run against NSW, winning 10 of the last 11 series.

Morris had a long association with the Queensland team, coaching the 1985 side and first joining the Maroons selection panel in 1995.

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Smith's history went back even further - he played five-eighth for Queensland in the inaugural 1980 Origin clash at Lang Park.

Walters can now put his personal stamp on the Maroons side in his second year at the helm after taking over from the all conquering Mal Meninga.

"The QRL wish to acknowledge the contribution of former selectors Des Morris and Allan Smith, who presided over one of the most dominant eras in Origin history," a QRL statement read.

The new selection panel face a tough task ahead of the May 31 series opener in Brisbane after losing internationals Matt Scott and Greg Inglis to season-ending knee injuries.

"With Scott not available for Queensland, he's had 20-odd Origins for Queensland, been so dominant; the first forward picked for the last five years," Walters told Fox Sports.

"It's going to be a bit of a hole there."

Scott was injured in North Queensland's 21-20 golden-point NRL win over Brisbane on Friday.

The jury is out on whether the Maroons' loyalty extends to Scott's front row partner Nate Myles after his quiet start to the season with Manly.

Maroons selectors must also find a replacement for retired lock Corey Parker.


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