Former NSW hooker Benny Elias has written off Queensland's chances of a fifth straight Origin series win, declaring a resurgent Blues would hit back with a 3-0 whitewash this year.

Queensland's playing stocks were handed a blow this week, with Israel Folau (compound dislocation of a finger) and Scott Prince (broken thumb) both rated doubtful for game one of the series in Sydney on May 26.

The Maroons are already missing big guns Karmichael Hunt (AFL), tackling machine Dallas Johnson (UK Super League) and Test centre Justin Hodges who'll miss the series following surgery on his snapped achilles tendon.

Long-serving captain Darren Lockyer's decision about his representative future, due after next week's round of fixtures, has become clouded by a spate of early season injuries to key Brisbane players, putting even more pressure on Queensland.

Melbourne's Cooper Cronk is a halves option, but he only started his season at the weekend coming off the bench to help the Storm beat Penrith.

South Sydney prop Michael Crocker is yet to make an appearance this season along with veteran bookend Steve Price (heel) who according to Warriors coach Ivan Cleary, suffered a setback last week in his battle to get return to the field.

"Even if they had all their players fit I thought they had a big job in front of them to beat NSW the way they finished off last year's series," Elias, a three-time Origin man-of-the-match told AAP on Monday.

"If they lose some of those players it'll be absolutely massive.

"They're all established strike players, the impact would be huge, even though you couldn't question their replacements.

"It would be a huge ask, especially with NSW hungry to finish the job they started last year.

"I think (NSW coach Craig) Bellamy has got the formula right now.

A cynical Elias, who played 234 games for Balmain in the 1980-90s, tipped Queensland would resort to its old siege mentally days for this series.

"I've got no doubt you (Queensland) guys will play down all the injuries and use it to say you're underdogs but NSW know everything is on the line and they will win the series three zip."

Queensland were widely criticised for their low key build-up to game three last year which they lost after securing a record fourth series in the first two games.

"It's easy to say you relaxed for the third game when you've won the series but trust me, you don't relax for one minute in any of the three games," said Elias.

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