Gerard Sutton will officiate his 14th consecutive State of Origin match after being named to referee game one at Suncorp Stadium next week alongside assistant referee Ashley Klein.
It is the second straight series both Sutton and Klein will carry the whistle as the NRL put a priority on big-game experience.
Both referees were widely praised for their performances in free-flowing game one of last year's series, which came after the heavily-criticised penalty crackdown in NRL games.
Only five penalties were given in that Origin match and a total of 30 in the three-match series.
Both referees also controlled last year's grand final between the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne.
"Origin is one of the toughest and most intense events in world sport, and it demands match officials with vast experience to ensure the players are given every possible chance to perform at their best," NRL head of football elite competitions Graham Annesley said on Tuesday.
"I congratulate those appointed to control the game, and know they will do everything within their power to contribute to another great Origin spectacle."
Chris Butler and Nick Beashel have been named as the touch judges, while Jared Maxwell and Ben Galea are in the bunker.
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