Papalii's selection in the front row for the Queensland Maroons makes him the third Raider set to suit up in the series opener.

The Queensland regular will meet NSW Blues duo Nick Cotric and Jack Wighton in their Origin debuts at Suncorp Stadium on June 5.

Wighton and Cotric are poised to become the Raiders' first NSW representatives since Blake Ferguson in 2013. Not since Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Joel Monaghan in 2010 has the club boasted two Blues in one game.

In the opposition change rooms during game two of the 2010 series stood another Raider in David Shillington.

State of Origin honours have been few and far between since then for the Green Machine's stars.

Ferguson and Josh Dugan both played for NSW while in Canberra, but Papalii has been left to fly the flag over the past five years.

But Canberra's impressive start to the season - despite riding a three-match losing streak into the Origin period - has seen a host of names enter the representative discussion.

Wighton will add spark off the bench for NSW while Cotric will start on the wing for a Blues outfit looking to maintain its grip on the shield.

Papalii is relishing the prospect of regaining the title - but motivation for Origin is never hard to come by.

"It's the same feeling of putting on that Maroons jersey again, it's always a privilege and an honour playing in the Maroons jersey," Papalii said.

"Going up against my own teammates as well, it's something special and something the club should be happy about.

"It's been a while since we've had one from Queensland and one from NSW playing at the same time. Those two really deserve their spot in the NSW squad but I can't wish them too much luck.

"Jack has played in a lot of positions and he will handle the Origin scene pretty well. He's definitely a tough player.

"Nick is still young and he will probably be more excited than anyone else. I honestly can't wait to see the boys run around and represent Canberra as well."

Twelve-game veteran Papalii will be one of the most experienced Queenslanders on the park after coach Kevin Walters opted for seven new faces in a bid to win back the shield they had a stranglehold on for so long.

STATE OF ORIGIN

Wednesday, June 5: State of Origin Game I - Queensland Maroons v NSW Blues at Suncorp Stadium, 8pm.

Queensland Maroons squad: Kalyn Ponga, Corey Oates, Will Chambers, Michael Morgan, Dane Gagai, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jai Arrow, Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii, Felise Kaufusi, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire. Interchange: Moses Mbye, Dylan Napa, Joe Ofahengaue, David Fifita.

NSW Blues squad: James Tedesco, Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell, Josh Morris, Nick Cotric, Cody Walker, Nathan Cleary, David Klemmer, Damien Cook, Paul Vaughan, Boyd Cordner, Tyson Frizell, Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: Jack Wighton, Payne Haas, Angus Crichton, Cameron Murray.