His State of Origin future may be in doubt but Queensland prop Nate Myles will still have a huge influence on Wednesday night's game two in Sydney.
The Maroons will field their most inexperienced front row since 1995 when rookie Jarrod Wallace packs down with Dylan Napa, who is playing in just his second Origin match, at ANZ Stadium.
Wallace said lessons learned from 32-Origin veteran Myles during the Maroons game one camp had provided much needed guidance ahead of his Queensland debut.
Myles' Origin days appear numbered after he was axed as part of seven changes made in the wake of Queensland's record 28-4 game one loss in Brisbane, the biggest team shake-up in 15 years.
"I didn't know Nate too well before but when he was there he took charge of all the young forwards and helped out the boys a lot, especially Napa because he was starting," Gold Coast prop Wallace said.
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"It was good to see just how much he cared about the young fellas and Origin.
"I know he will be disappointed (being dropped) but he definitely helped in game one."
One of the few Queensland forwards to survive the post-game one cull, backrower Matt Gillett believed Wallace would step up on Wednesday night after being taken under the wing of Myles and fellow Origin I casualty Sam Thaiday.
"Those two blokes know what Origin is all about and have been around a long time," Gillett said.
"So Jarrod hung around the group and learned a lot from those boys in camp one.
"They are good leaders. This time Jarrod is actually going to be running out there so he's got to do a good job and start off well.
"But I've been watching him this year. He does his job and can play big minutes so I'm very excited."
Myles, Thaiday, fellow veteran Jacob Lillyman and backrower Aidan Guerra were cut in the wake of the game one rout.
Besides Wallace, Coen Hess and bolter Tim Glasby will make their debuts off the bench.
Gavin Cooper - who made his Origin debut in game three last year - returns to the Maroons backrow at age 31.
"We're pretty excited about the changes that have been made, although it was pretty devastating for the boys who aren't here," Gillett said.
"We feel for them because they're great mates and we've been a close group for a long time.
"For the the new boys I'm excited for them.
"We want to be back winning so with the side we've got, with a lot of younger boys, it's time to perform."
