Penrith is reeling from what it believes to be a State of Origin snub from both NSW and Queensland rugby league selectors.

Penrith football manager Mick Leary was livid after incumbent Test backrower Trent Waterhouse missed out on NSW selection to shock bench pick Steve Simpson.

And Panthers teammate Rhys Wesser lost his Queensland No.1 jersey to Melbourne's Billy Slater for the May 25 series opener at Brisbane.

NSW selectors also bucked a trend by not naming a prop on the bench, opting instead for three backrowers in a major blow to Penrith and City frontrower Joel Clinton.

Waterhouse's snubbing continued an unfortunate trend at Penrith.

Just like an unlucky Clinton last year, Waterhouse missed out on NSW selection after not playing in the City-Country trial because he was ineligible as a Test player.

And Penrith's Luke Lewis - the 18th man for last month's Test against New Zealand at Brisbane - missed out on a wing berth to debutant Matt King of Melbourne.

Incumbent Test hooker Luke Priddis also missed out on NSW selection after the successful return from injury by Newcastle and Blues skipper Danny Buderus.

Penrith halfback Craig Gower had also been keeping his fingers crossed for a utility bench spot that was taken by the Sydney Roosters' Craig Wing.

Leary thought Wesser was an Origin "certainty" but said: "We could blow up but it would not achieve anything.

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