For State of Origin selectors, the opposite can be true. With a month to go before the teams are revealed for this year's interstate series, the previous incarnation of the team remains their starting point. More often than not, it's about who has played themselves out rather than who has played themselves in.

Here are some of the key questions Laurie Daley and Kevin Walters will be poring over during the next three NRL rounds.

Backlines

NSW The Blues started last year's series looking like this; Matt Moylan, Blake Ferguson, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Josh Mansour, James Maloney, Adam Reynolds. By game two, Dylan Walker had replaced Morris and by game three, Josh Dugan was in the centres with Jennings, James Tedesco was fullback, Moylan was five-eighth and Maloney was in the seven for the injured Reynolds. Where to start this time around for Daley? NSW won game three, which should and likely will carry some currency, even if it was a dead rubber. But even so, there's a long list of names worthy of consideration, with Jack Wighton, James Roberts, Tom Trbojevic, Jack Bird, Tyrone Peachey and Luke Keary just a taster.

Tedesco should retain the fullback spot and with Keary or Maloney at five-eighth, where does that leave the out-of-sorts Moylan? Bench? Panthers Leagues? Jennings has now played 18 times for NSW and his experience might be enough and Dugan has been helped by the in-form Dragons. Ferguson's fate may depend on Daley's desire for renewal, while the injury to Mansour opens the door to a player like Trbojevic. And then there is Jarryd Hayne, returning for the Titans but with precious little football under his belt this season. Do the Blues take a punt on a proven match-winner (series winner?)? This - and other gambles like the potential return of Mitchell Pearce - should keep Daley and consultant Peter Sterling buzzing.

Queensland The Maroons managed to keep an unchanged group of backs for the entire series last year; Darius Boyd, Corey Oates, Greg Inglis, Justin O'Neill, Dane Gagai, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk. The huge omission to that group is Inglis, whose knee gave way at the start of the season. Those that question his club form on occasion need to remember the man is an Origin beast, having dominated time and again even when he looked a touch sluggish in prior weeks. Melbourne's Will Chambers looks the obvious safe pair of hands but NSW would likely view his pairing with O'Neill as less potent than with Inglis plating up tries down the left edge like he runs a catering company.

Boyd, Cronk and Thurston are already picked, while Oates has been strangely quiet for the Broncos. In that case, what to make of Billy Slater? Walters has already suggested the returning Storm great will be there and with Boyd such an assured presence at the back, the wing may be his spot, or Boyd could play in the centres. Gagai has been good in a struggling Knights outfit. Valentine Holmes gives Queensland plenty of depth if needed.

Forwards

NSW The Blues won game three with Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Paul Gallen, Josh Jackson, Wade Graham and Tyson Frizell starting. Gallen has retired from rep football, while Farah has been playing off the bench, although Daley is one of his biggest fans. There's no shortage of names that would be worthy to replace Gallen; Shannon Boyd, Andrew Fifita, a resurgent Paul Vaughan, the consistent Ryan James. Boyd Cordner looks certain to return after missing games two and three last year, Frizell, Graham and Jackson will all feature, as will Woods, who might be captain. Throw in David Klemmer, potentially Jack De Belin, and they lack for nothing. Hooker? Cameron McInnes (former Rabbitoh now at the Dragons) was squeezed out by Farah and may end up with his Blues jumper.

Queensland Matt Scott? Injured. Corey Parker? Retired. Nate Myles? Not exactly braining it for the Sea Eagles. There's three of the most-recent Maroons starting pack. Walters will start with the obvious - Cameron Smith at nine, Matt Gillett in the second row and probably Josh McGuire at lock. Sam Thaiday started in game three last year and will be there or on the bench, along with Josh Papalii and Michael Morgan. Scott's absence gives Dylan Napa a golden opportunity, while Melbourne's Felise Kaufusi will be in discussions. Gavin Cooper hasn't given selectors any reason to leave him out and there's a big chance he will be joined on the bench by Cowboys teammate Coen Hess.