A left field call by Mal Meninga to blood incumbent Queensland fullback Darius Boyd at five-eighth has been shot down by Maroons coach Kevin Walters.
But Walters says Boyd is still set to feature in Queensland's backline for this month's State of Origin opener even if Billy Slater reclaims his No.1 jersey.
Walters has no shortage of five-eighth options if Johnathan Thurston fails to overcome a shoulder injury for May 31's Origin I in Brisbane.
North Queensland's Michael Morgan, Brisbane's Anthony Milford, Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans and Parramatta's Corey Norman top Walters' wish list.
However, Kangaroos coach Meninga thought he would still nominate another contender - Boyd.
Meninga believed Boyd could make way for Slater at fullback and still make a difference as a pivot or centre for Queensland.
"He's got great footy nous. He could play there in the centres or at six," Meninga said.
"That (five-eighth) is somewhere the Broncos might see him playing somewhere down the track so it could be an opportunity for him to play six at representative level as well.
"He can make a difference in all those positions."
Walters dismissed Boyd as a five-eighth option but did not rule out the Brisbane No.1 and Slater playing together for Queensland.
Walters hinted that Boyd may move back to the wing with Slater reclaiming his fullback role upon his return from ongoing shoulder dramas.
Asked about Meninga's call for Boyd at pivot, Walters said: "What did Mal say?
"Is Mal throwing tricks out there?
"Look, Darius would do a great job in there (pivot).
"But I think we've got enough specialist five-eighths at the moment that could do a terrific job for Queensland."
Boyd established himself as the game's premier fullback last year with Slater sidelined but he played the bulk of his 26 Origins on the wing, scoring 17 tries.
"Both Billy and Darius in the backline, it has happened before - that's an option," Walters said.
"Darius has been a great winger for Queensland."
Meninga did not want to influence Walters even though he had already mulled over the same Boyd v Slater fullback conundrum.
Meninga went with Boyd for Australia's Test win over New Zealand in Canberra last week.
"It's not my call. It's a difficult one," Meninga said.
"I would suggest at this stage both could be in there."
Boyd hoped to simply feature in Queensland's backline.
"My first preference is fullback but as long as I put on a Queensland Origin jersey I will be very happy," he said.
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