Leading whistleblower Tony Archer has been overlooked for State of Origin for the first time in almost four years with Shayne Hayne and Ben Cummins appointed to referee next week's second game of the series.

Archer had been involved as either an individual or as part of the two-referee system for the last ten Origins, a run stemming back to his first appearance the opening game of the 2008 series.

NRL referees coaches Bill Harrigan and Stuart Raper said the decision to go with Hayne and Cummins - the latter to make his Origin debut - was in no way a negative reflection on the performance of Archer or fellow game one official Jared Maxwell.

"Tony and Shane are our two most senior referees and provided their form remained where we believed it would we made the decision before Origin that each would control one of the first two games," Harrigan said.

"The assist referee position would go to whoever displayed the best form leading into that match.

"Jared deserved his spot coming into game one and Ben has certainly staked his claim for game two."

Hayne and Archer combined to referee all three matches of the 2009 and 2010 series.

Archer's reign as Origin referee has coincided with Queensland's dominance of the interstate series, with the Maroons having won eight of ten matches with Archer in charge.

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