Now it's about to go to the next level, with the Canberra Raiders prop named to start State of Origin alongside his best mate, Josh Papalii.

After 158 NRL games spanning a decade, the 30-year-old was named for his Maroons debut in Origin II at Sydney Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.

Lui's been brought in to replace Christian Welch in the front row alongside Papalii.

He's already played an important role in Queensland's Origin I win - waking up Papalii in time for the team meeting.

Lui never gave up the dream of playing Origin, but admitted he could only laugh whenever his name was even linked with being part of the squad.

Now he's set to run out in enemy territory on one of the biggest stages in rugby league.

Lui told The Canberra Times ahead of the series it would be a dream come true if he could run out with Papalii.

The pair are best mates and their families are close, with Lui acting as Papalii's taxi driver to Raiders training and also making his lunch to ensure the Green Machine's enforcer was fit and firing.

"That would be one of the highlights of my career if I was able to partner him in the starting line up," Lui said at the time.

"Especially how close we are and playing in the same team in clubland. That'll definitely be one of the highlights."

Lui has emerged as a Raiders leader this year after a raft of injuries to their middle forwards put a heavy workload not just on Lui and Papalii, but Joe Tapine as well.

It's helped him come out of his usually quiet shell.

He was one of three changes for the Maroons, with Queensland coach Wayne Bennett also bringing Valentine Holmes in at fullback in place of the injured AJ Brimson (foot) and omitting Coen Hess.

That means Jaydn Su'A comes into the second row in Hess' place, while Moeaki Fotuaika comes onto the bench.

Game one-hero Kurt Capewell (groin) was named in the centres, although Bennett has named Brenko Lee (calf) on an extended bench as cover.

Blues coach Brad Fittler has rung the changes as they look to erase their 1-0 series deficit.

The biggest of which is the omission of five-eighth Luke Keary from the 17, with South Sydney No.6 Cody Walker coming into the halves to partner Nathan Cleary.

It means Raiders star Jack Wighton, named again in the centres, will need to form a new combination on the NSW left edge.

Blues fullback James Tedesco has taken over the captaincy from Boyd Cordner after he withdrew from Origin camp as a precaution following yet another head knock.

Angus Crichton replaces him in the second row, while Dale Finucane comes onto the bench for Cameron Murray (hamstring).

Nathan Brown and Isaah Yeo have been added to the Blues bench and are in line for their Origin debuts.

STATE OF ORIGIN II

Wednesday: NSW Blues v Queensland Maroons at Sydney Olympic Stadium, 8.10pm.