Not because he assumed he'd be there, just because if he wasn't then he didn't deserve to be.

But Queensland Maroons coach Kevin Walters picked the Green Machine second rower to start against NSW in next week's State of Origin opener as reward for his outstanding form at the start of the season.

Papalii missed out on representing his country in the final Anzac Test, at Canberra Stadium 2?? weeks ago, due to a drink-driving charge, but will put that behind him when he starts for Queensland as the Maroons look to win their 11th series in 12 years.

The 25-year-old was the only Raiders player picked for either state, as NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley continued his Canberra snub.

Neither Raiders props Shannon Boyd or Junior Paulo made the cut and Canberra captain Jarrod Croker was also overlooked.

Blake Ferguson was the last Raiders player to make a Blues team - for game one in 2013 - with Croker coming closest three years ago when he was named 19th man.

Papalii said he wasn't worried he wouldn't get picked for his seventh Origin appearance.

He was one of Queensland's best last year when they won the opening two games of the series.

"To be honest I wasn't too worried about it - not because I thought I'd see myself in it, I'm just taking it one week at a time," Papalii said.

"I'm one of those people if you're not in the team then you don't deserve to be. If you are then you're doing something right."

He's set to link up with his mate Anthony Milford, who Walters named to debut at five-eighth with the injury cloud hanging over Johnathan Thurston's shoulder relegating the future Immortal to 18th man.

Papalii revealed Milford originally wasn't in the Maroons team after the pair spoke on Sunday night, which made his fellow Queenslander's selection a "massive shock" when the team was announced on Monday.

He was hoping the pair might now play on the same edge.

"He [Milford] gave me a call last night and he said he wasn't in the team and then I saw [him named] today and it was obviously a massive shock and a massive achievement for himself as well," Papalii said.

"Hopefully we play on the same side [of the field] too.

"I think it was a smart move by Kevvie as well. Naming [Thurston] at 18 gives him every opportunity to get ready for the game and if he's not right then there's a few players that can fill that spot, but not his shoes, and hopefully do the job next Wednesday."

Along with the Thurston decision, Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater's omission was the other major shock with Walters' team.

The Queensland coach opted for Darius Boyd to wear the No.1 jersey, with Slater completely overlooked for the Origin opener.

Even Boyd had expected Slater to return to the Maroons line up after a couple of seasons wrecked by shoulder injuries, with himself expecting to move to the wing to make way for arguably the best fullback to have ever played the game.

Instead, Walters stayed loyal to Boyd, who Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga also picked as the Australian custodian for the Anzac Test victory over New Zealand.

Papalii backed the selection.

"Darius Boyd is probably the best fullback out there at the moment, but everyone loves Billy the Kid," he said.

"I think Darius has got that spot by form at the moment and I wouldn't be surprised if Billy Slater's there game two."

Queensland team: 1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Justin O'Neill, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Dylan Napa, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Nate Myles, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Josh McGuire. Interchange: 14. Michael Morgan, 15. Sam Thaiday, 16. Aidan Guerra, 17. Jacob Lillyman. 18th man: Johnathan Thurston.

NSW team: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Jarryd Hayne, 5. Brett Morris, 6. James Maloney, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Andrew Fifita, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Boyd Cordner (c), 13. Tyson Frizell. Interchange: 14. David Klemmer, 15. Wade Graham, 16. Jake Trbojevic, 17. Jack Bird. Reserves: 18. Matt Moylan, 19. Jordan McLean, 20. Jack De Belin.