Legendary Queensland playmaker Darren Lockyer will captain a new-look Maroons team into their do-or-die Origin battle against the NSW Blues at Suncorp Stadium next week.

Lockyer's hurried inclusion heads four changes made by Maroon selectors heading into Origin II, none of which involve in-form Gold Coast playmaker Scott Prince.

Warriors prop Steve Price has been named after making a safe return from a hamstring injury in Round 11, while Titans utility Ashley Harrison and Broncos rookie Darius Boyd have also earned berths.

Centre Justin Hodges has pleaded guilty to a grade three dangerous throw charge and will miss both remaining Origin matches, while North Queensland enforcers Carl Webb and Jacob Lillyman - along with Brisbane hooker PJ Marsh - have been axed.

Brent Tate will slot into the centres to cover for Hodges, while Karmichael Hunt will revert to the bench to make way for Lockyer.

Boyd, 21, will play his first Origin game on the wing.

Queensland Team

1. Billy Slater
2. Darius Boyd
3. Greg Inglis
4. Brent Tate
5. Israel Folau
6. Darren Lockyer (capt)
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Steve Price
9. Cameron Smith
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Michael Crocker
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Dallas Johnson

14. Karmichael Hunt
15. Ben Hannant
16. Nate Myles
17. Ashley Harrison.


Newcastle Knights Steve Simpson and Kurt Gidley have come into the NSW squad for State of Origin II, replacing injured prop Ben Cross and Dragons utility Ben Hornby.

Both Simpson and Gidley come onto the bench, with Craig Fitzgibbon shifting from the interchange into the front row in place of Newcastle’s Cross.

Gidley was expected to be named at halfback for the series opener before suffering a fractured cheekbone, while Simpson has spent the bulk of the season on the sidelines after picking up a nine-week injury in round 1.

Jarryd Hayne's place on the wing is in doubt with the Eels speedster set to face the judiciary over a dangerous throw charge, while Mark Gasnier still has to overcome a hamstring injury.

Canberra's Joel Monaghan is on standby for Gasnier, and could also find himself in the team if Hayne is suspended.

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. Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
11. Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
12. Willie Mason (Roosters)
13. Paul Gallen (Sharks)

14. Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
15. Anthony Tupou (Roosters)
16. Steve Simpson (Knights)
17. Kurt Gidley (Knights)