Queensland claimed back its favourite underdog tag on Monday as punters clamoured to jump on NSW to win the opening Origin in Sydney.

The late plunge on the Blues follows the scratching of Maroons' hooker Cameron Smith and concerns over the fitness of star centre Greg Inglis.

Bookmakers reported heavy backing for NSW, now pushing Queensland for favouritism 48 hours before kick off.

Thurston, who has played all but two of his 31 representative games for Queensland and Australia with Smith, said Queensland would head to Sydney on Tuesday as first-game underdogs despite winning the last four series in a row since 2006.

"I'd say so," said Thurston when asked if Queensland were outsiders.

"I've only played two rep games in my career that I haven't played with Cam Smith, so he's been an important part of my rep career and obviously a very important part of this team."

"We're missing Hodgo (Justin Hodges) and a few other guys as well.

"Yeah you could say we're heading in as underdogs.

"They've got two games down in NSW and they'll certainly be fired up for that."

Thurston played down talk of get-squares from game three last year when Queensland prop Steve Price was ironed out by NSW forward Brett White and things got out of control late in the game.

"They've picked a very big pack a very strong pack and I think that is where they're going to try and dominate us," he said.

"They certainly did that last year but they don't have those enforcers there that have been there in the past."

"They've got some big boys who'll roll forward for them.

"White is still aggressive, Ben Creagh is still aggressive and Watmough ... they've still got blokes there who can fire up."

Winning five series in a row in Lockyer's last series was not a motivating factors according to Thurston.

"There actually hasn't been any talk about five in a row," said the Cowboys skipper, expecting NSW to target him following some recent shoulder issues.

"For us, it starts all over again just like it did back in 2006."

Thurston said Lockyer's farewell series had not been raised in camp, especially not by Lockyer.

"It hasn't really hit me, but I guess you savour the time you spend with him," said Thurston.

"It probably won't sink in until the series if finally over."

"It's been a really enjoyable week.

"I think everyone's just savouring having those blokes, Locky and Petro (Civoniceva) around.

"Locky doesn't want us to do it for him that's the kind of bloke that Locky is"

"It hasn't even been mentioned but the way he has contributed to the state and to rugby league we'd certainly like to send him out the way he deserves."

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