The time when blue and maroon adorn every shopfront in Queensland and NSW. The time which pits state against state. The time which, in the eyes of many National Rugby League fans, can even trump the finals series for drama and emotion. 

Yes, it’s State of Origin time. 

This year’s Origin promises to shatter many of the tropes of the past 15 years. 

Commentators and pundits have been in a tizzy because of the almost unrecognisable teams that have been named ahead of the series opener this Wednesday night. 

Both sides are getting ready to welcome a host of new faces, and Queensland in particular is preparing to farewell the old war horses in Smith (retired pre-series), Cronk, (retired last year), Slater (injured for the first, and retiring post-series), and Thurston (retired following last year’s Origin win).

Meanwhile, Valentine Holmes has been selected to play his second Origin series, Gold Coast lock Jai Arrow will make his Origin debut, and stalwarts Matt Scott and Darius Boyd have both been axed by the Maroons. 

NSW have also rung the changes within their side. With too many debutants to name, the Blues will have 11 new faces in Wednesday’s opener, the most since Origin began in 1980. 

Despite the inexperience of the Blues’ side, most odds-makers have NSW the favourites to win the series.

This is an about face from the status quo of years gone past, in which Queensland has won nine of the past 10 series and have been heavy favourites almost every time. 

With all of these changes, additions and absences, it is almost impossible to tell how the series will play out. 

Neither team can claim the upper hand with regards to experience. Inglis is the only player with more than 20 Origin caps under his belt, while NSW, with 11 debutants, will be looking to captain Boyd Cordner and few remaining senior members to lead. 

The one advantage that Queensland will take into the opener is that it’s being played at the MCG, which is considered the home ground for QLD because of its long list of Melbourne Storm players. 

This start will give QLD the upper hand across the series, as the third fixture is in Brisbane. 

It should make for a fascinating series, one which could redefine State of Origin for another decade to come.