FORMER Blues great Steve Mortimer has warned NSW they will take Queensland lightly at their own peril as they look to secure a third straight State of Origin shield.
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The Blues are raging favourites to seal the three-peat, with injuries, suspension and post-season surgery robbing the Maroons of a number of key players including Kalyn Ponga, Michael Morgan and Valentine Holmes.
After their eight-year dynasty came to an end in 2018, Queensland is now in the underdog position it craves, with TAB rating them a $3.30 chance to win Wednesday night's season opener at Adelaide.
Former halfback Mortimer was last year inducted into the NSW Rugby League Hall of Fame after representing his state 16 times, including nine under the Origin format.
The Wagga product captained the Blues to their first-ever series win in 1985 and warned the Maroons have chosen a superior side to those beaten in games one and two last year.
"If the boys just take it as a game they'll win, that's not going to happen. This will be a very hard game," he said.
"The blokes that they (Queensland) have picked, it's still a bloody good team, and we need to treat them as a team that can cause an upset.
Eight Maroons named in their top 17 will make their Origin debuts.
Queensland looks particularly skinny in the outside backs with fullback AJ Brimson, wingers Xavier Coates and Phillip Sami and centre Brenko Lee all rookies.
South Sydney's Dane Gagai is the only member of their back five with Origin experience, while the Blues will have the likes of James Tedesco, Dally M medallist Jack Wighton and Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr at their disposal.
Mortimer said the Blues have the attacking arsenal to get over the top of Queensland, but must win the arm wrestle first to unleash their weapons.
"We've got an advantage in talent when it comes to strike power and attack, but we have to match their intensity," he said.
"They might not be the best team, but we've got to be alert in defence and then we can throw the ball around.
"Even if there's a few players unavailable for the Maroons, the players that are there are still very competent players and can do a job at that level."
Mortimer backed hooker Damien Cook and debutant five-eighth Luke Keary to be the figureheads for NSW which can give them a 1-0 series lead.
"Obviously (halfback) Nathan Cleary is a good player but I think Keary and Cook will be the guys who can spearhead us to the win against Queensland," he said.
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