Time to move on from Smith era: Walters

Letting go of the past has never been a strength of a loyal Queensland but coach Kevin Walters has urged the Maroons to move on from the Cameron Smith era ahead of Wednesday's State of Origin opener.

It may be easier said than done for Queensland to forget retired skipper Smith after he played a hand in the Maroons' dominant run of 11 series wins in 12 years.

Especially after the 42 Origin hooker made his presence felt by arriving to watch Queensland train at the MCG on Tuesday.

Queensland officially begin life without Smith and fellow retired greats Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk on Wednesday night.

"He has obviously been a great player for us but it is time to move on from the Cameron Smith era," Walters said.

"That's what I said to the players (on Tuesday) - it's time to move on, it's your jersey now.

"I know it will be a great performance from our boys."

While Smith is a beloved member of the "Maroons family", Walters has distanced the former skipper from the camp in a bid to give his new look side a fresh start.

Smith's only contact with the Maroons to date was his Tuesday training session attendance, casting doubt over whether the former Test skipper would address the troops before they ran out on Wednesday night.

"He just came in today. He wanted to come along and wish the boys well," Walters said.

Smith was seen chatting at training with Melbourne teammate Billy Slater who had barely 24 hours earlier made the shock call to pull out of Origin I with a hamstring injury.

While admitting Slater's omission was a "major blow", Walters believed the stage was now set for the fresh faced Maroons to make a name for themselves under new skipper Greg Inglis.

"As Queenslanders I see a real unity amongst them," Walters said of his team featuring three debutants.

"Greg Inglis is a big factor around everything we have done this week, they will get behind Greg and support him in every way."