NSW set the scene for an old-fashioned State of Origin arm wrestle with their selection of Shaun Timmins at five-eighth for game one in Brisbane.

Blues coach Phil Gould and chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy conceded Timmins' selection in the No.6 jersey had been made with one thing in mind - defence.

That decision prompted McCarthy's Queensland counterpart Gene Miles to claim the "wheel had turned" in the traditional war between the interstate rivals.

"We got our bums smacked in 2000 and in 2001 we had to come up with something defensively to combat that and stop them scoring so many points," Miles said.

"We went defensively and now maybe the wheel has turned.

"They're probably looking at trying to stop us from scoring.

"The last few years we've tried to stop them and I think his selection there is probably defence-orientated."

There were few surprises in the Queensland side, although the Maroons did suffer the first setback of their Origin campaign when Robbie O'Davis was forced out 15 minutes after the side was announced with a knee injury.

Sydney Roosters winger Shannon Hegarty, four hours after being told of his omission, was rushed in as his replacement.

The Blues, on the other hand, came through unscathed after second rower Ben Kennedy was cleared to play following tests on his hamstring.

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