Brisbane youngster Peter Wallace was today named halfback for NSW for game one of rugby league's State of Origin series after injury ruled Newcastle utility Kurt Gidley out of contention.

Wallace will partner Test five eighth Greg Bird at ANZ Stadium on May 21 with odds on favourite Gidley ruled out this morning after suffering a fractured cheekbone for Newcastle in last night's 18-4 NRL loss to Melbourne at Olympic Park.

It opened the door for 22-year-old Wallace to make his debut for the Blues, beating off established halfbacks including Parramatta's Brett Finch, Manly's Matt Orford and Newcastle's Jarrod Mullen for the position.

Wallace has been a revelation since joining the Broncos from Penrith in the off season, helping to lead Brisbane into the top four while skipper Darren Lockyer battled with a knee injury.

Sydney Roosters captain Craig Fitzgibbon is the other surprise selection, the 30-year-old backrower earning a recall to the Blues on the interchange bench after missing out for the past two seasons.

"Eighteen months ago everyone thought he had lost his legs but he has found them again and it's a deserved spot for him," said new NSW coach Craig Bellamy.
"Obviously he is experienced in big games which will be good for us, and he is a goalkicker as well."

Gold Coast forward Anthony Laffranchi won a deserved State of Origin debut jersey after narrowly missing out on an Australian Test jumper for the Centenary Test last week, named alongside Fitzgibbon on the interchange bench with Anthony Tupou and Dragons utility Ben Hornby.

Melbourne winger Anthony Quinn and Newcastle prop Ben Cross were also been selected for their NSW debuts, Cross to combine with his former Storm teammate Brett White.

NSW selectors made nine changes to the side which won the final game of last year's series with incumbents Gidley, Nathan Hindmarsh, Andrew Ryan, Steve Simpson, Matt King, Jamie Lyon, Brett Kimmorley, Brent Kite and Luke Bailey all missing from Bellamy's 2008 team.

Former Melbourne star King was considered ineligible as he is now playing in the UK Super League, while Gidley (cheekbone), Simpson (knee) and Bailey (wrist) missed out due to injury.

Manly prop Kite is the most controversial omission, dropped from the NSW side despite a strong performance for the Kangaroos in last week's Centenary Test win over the Kiwis.

"Brent played for Australia three or four days ago, he was in our discussions for a long time but this is a team we think will do the best job in the way we want to play the game," said Bellamy.

Sydney Roosters five-eighth Braith Anasta is another unlucky omission with his strong club form overlooked in favour of Bird's proven ability in both the Blues and Kangaroos jumpers.

The full team
1. Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles)
2. Jarryd Hayne (Eels)
3. Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
4. Matt Cooper (Dragons)
5. Anthony Quinn (Storm)
6. Greg Bird (Sharks)
7. Peter Wallace (Broncos)
8. Brett White (Storm)
9. Danny Buderus (Knights)
10. Ben Cross (Knights)
11. Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
12. Willie Mason (Roosters)
13. Paul Gallen (Sharks)

14. Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
15. Anthony Tupou (Roosters)
16. Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
17. Ben Hornby (Dragons)


In form Gold Coast halfback Scott Prince has been snubbed by Queensland selectors, with Karmichael Hunt picked to partner Johnathan Thurston in the halves for Origin I against NSW.

Queensland chairman of selectors Des Morris said it was a tough decision, but he said selectors felt that Prince was a halfback and Hunt's versatility won him the No.6 jersey following the unavailability of injured Test skipper Darren Lockyer (knee).

"It's a big job to fill obviously with a player of Darren's calibre not available, we feel he's played a fair bit of that position during the game and he's very strong in defence," said Morris of Hunt.

"We think he'll be a good mix with Johnathan (Thurston)."

Morris said he felt for Prince but pointed out the Titans' play maker was competing against the best halfback in the world.

"I think he'd be disappointed but Scott's a halfback in our opinion and unfortunately he's competing against Johnathan Thurston who's probably got the edge on him at the moment."

Hunt's selection in the No.6 jersey has opened the door for Billy Slater's Origin recall at fullback.

Manly centre Steven Bell has lost his spot in the backline, with selectors opting for Test representatives Justin Hodges and Greg Inglis in the centres.

The Maroons will field an All-Australian front row with North Queensland's Carl Webb and Penrith's Petero Civoniceva joining hooker Cameron Smith who will captain the team.

Brisbane recruit PJ Marsh has earned himself an interchange position despite playing just 63 minutes of football in the past six weeks due to a rib injury, while a powerhouse season from Brisbane's Ben Hannant has handed him his Origin debut on the bench.

The other player to make his Queensland debut is Melbourne winger Israel Folau.

The reigning premiers are heavily represented with six Melbourne players dotting the line-up, while five Broncos also made the 17.

The full team
1. Billy Slater (Storm)
2. Brent Tate (Warriors)
3. Greg Inglis (Storm)
4. Justin Hodges (Broncos)
5. Israel Folau (Storm)
6. Karmichael Hunt (Broncos)
7. Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
8. Carl Webb (Cowboys)
9. Cameron Smith (capt) (Storm)
10. Petero Civoniceva (Panthers)
11. Michael Crocker (Storm)
12. Sam Thaiday (Broncos)
13. Dallas Johnson (Storm)

14. PJ Marsh (Broncos)
15. Ben Hannant (Broncos)
16. Nate Myles (Roosters)
17. Jacob Lillyman (Cowboys)