The milestone always seemed inconceivable to Cameron Smith.
But the Queensland captain has revealed some Maroons teammates predicted he would be the first to play 40 State of Origins after just a handful of games.
Smith will make history when he runs out in Wednesday night's Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
The Maroons hooker never thought the 40 game barrier would be broken, however, he revealed some Queensland teammates called it early.
"I may have played half a dozen games and I remember guys like Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price saying 'mate you will be the first to play 40 Origins'," Smith said.
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"And I just laughed, shook my head and said 'no one will ever do that'.
"It's a really nice achievement to have."
Not that Smith can truly savour the record on Wednesday night.
"When you are still playing it is hard to sit back and say 'wow I am about to play 40 games'," Smith said.
"My mind is thinking about what I need to do to get ready for this game.
"I am not sitting back patting myself on the back.
"But I do understand it is a fairly significant milestone."
Despite starting his Origin career 14 years ago and being captain since 2008, Smith admitted he would be nervous ahead of the historic game.
"Part of the benefit of the experience of all the games I have is you learn to enjoy the week rather than stress about it," he said.
"But on game day you get a few butterflies in the belly.
"When I am getting on to the bus on the way to the game, you see all the cars outside, everyone is going mad, that's when I get a little bit nervous."
Smith said it wasn't just the milestone that had him excited about Origin I.
Smith will lead a new look Maroons missing more than 100 Origin games' worth of experience against a Blues side who have become surprise bookies' favourites.
Queensland - winner of 10 of the past 11 Origin series - will blood debutants Anthony Milford and Dylan Napa.
"I am really looking forward to this one," Smith said.
"There is a lot of talk about the outcome of the match and different lineup for our side but I think that has created a lot of interest around the game.
"I think we are in for a pretty special game I reckon."
