It's a heartwarming story of mateship and two kids who shared a dream of one day playing rugby league for their state and country.

Brisbane winger Jharal Yow Yeh is living that dream.

But for one of his best mates, Shaun Maloney, the dream is over along with his promising rugby league career, taken from him by a series of injuries.

When 21-year-old Yow Yeh runs out for his Queensland debut in front of 50,000 fans in the State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night, he'll take thoughts of Maloney with him.

"I'm writing his story for him now because I want to," said Yow Yeh, revealing a dreaded junior rival became a best friend on the rugby league journey through their teens.

"He's sort of living it through me now.

"I know he'd love to be there, he was a great football player.

"If he hadn't had all those injuries he'd be playing top grade footy today."

Yow Yeh recalled how his first battles with Maloney, a big halfback playing for Arana in under 12s in Brisbane.

"I left Arana Hills to play for Norths when I was 12.

"Every time I played against my old club there was this one kid who just kept whacking me all the time.

"He kept chipping and chasing. I was at fullback and he just kept whacking me and whacking me.

"It annoyed me. I didn't like him one bit. I hated that he was better than me."

However mutual respect soon saw the on-field foes become good friends.

"We've been close mates since we were 15 or 16," said Yow Yeh.

"His footy career is gone now but if he hadn't hurt his knee so badly he would have definitely played first grade and possibly for NSW.

After injury ended his time at the North Queensland Cowboys, Maloney tried to make a comeback for Brisbane Wests last year but did his knee again.

"He's a great mate. He's had some rotten luck so I'm just trying to keep his spirits up and do what he would have done," said Yow Yeh.

If past deeds are anythingto go by, Yow Yeh is a big show of celebrating his debut for Queensland on Wednesday with a try.

He bagged one on debut for the Broncos against the Cowboys in 2009 and crossed in his maiden Test against the Kiwis at Skilled Park earlier this month.

"Hopefully I can do it again on Wednesday night," he said.

"Both my debuts have been in Queensland.

"This is my third one (in Queensland) and I couldn't ask for anything better."

He could.

His good mate Shaun Maloney could be playing in a Blues jumper.

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