The regeneration of Australia's Test rugby league ranks looks unlikely to begin in Queensland this winter, with Maroons coach Mal Meninga confirming his intention to rely on his core group of veterans to regain the Origin crown.
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Much has been made about the need to begin a transfusion of fresh blood to the Kangaroos after they were left behind by a youthful New Zealand in the Anzac Test in Brisbane, their third loss in as many meetings.
The traditional path to green and gold would be through Origin but Meninga said he saw no need to change what was a winning formula for eight years and the third game last year, when the Maroons prevailed in a dead rubber after NSW took the series in jubilant scenes at ANZ Stadium.
It means there stands to be as few as two changes to a Maroons side that already features much of the bones of Tim Sheens' Kangaroos, with the only notable vacancies that of the retiring Brent Tate and Ben Te'o, who went to England to pursue a career in rugby.
Dave Taylor was a bench player in game three but faces a difficult task to retain his spot with a number of forwards, including Brisbane's Josh McGuire, pressing strongly to make their debut.
Meninga said elder statesmen of the side had earned the right to go on their terms and he wouldn't push anyone out the door for the sake of forced renewal.
But he did say he hoped senior Maroons would tell him when they thought their time was coming to an end, as has been the case with Justin Hodges, who stands to play his final series after announcing his retirement from representative football.
"I don't see this year as a transition time. I think natural attrition will see a couple of new faces. Then as time passes, we've got to make some tough decisions," Meninga said.
"At the end of the day, if they're really honest with themselves and want to do the right thing by the program, maybe they'll do what Justin has done and say 'my time is done with the Origin program'. I hope there is a bit of honesty within the playing group. They've earned that right and respect."
Meninga remains in deep discussions with Maroons management about continuing his tenure as coach, saying he was comfortable where he was and hadn't considered a role with the Kangaroos as Sheens comes under mounting pressure.
"I'm happy doing what I'm doing. It's a great honour to coach Queensland. To be involved with three of the highest profile games in rugby league, I'm blessed," he said.
"We're in discussions at the moment. It's been put on the back burner but we'll sit down at the table and nut it all out. If the players are happy for me to be around and coaching them, I'm happy to continue."
Meninga said he had paid little attention to any selection dilemmas confronting NSW rival Laurie Daley but suspected he would remain largely loyal to the group that snatched the shield back in 2014.
"They've got so much depth in their squad, some fantastic players. We'll see what happens. I'm not speculating on anything," he said.
