Former Brisbane Broncos captain and representative star Justin Hodges believes he has prepared a team which can create a piece of history at Suncorp Stadium tonight.
Hodges has declared his Queensland Under 20s side "spot on" and primed to beat NSW for the first time, backing his talented spine of fullback Corey Allan, five eighth Alexander (AJ) Brimson, exciting halfback Jake Clifford and highly-regarded hooking prospect Harry Grant to lead the young Maroons to victory.
Queensland have lost all six U20 interstate clashes since 2012 to the Blues.
But Hodges is quietly confident the experience gained last year by several key members of his squad, who have undertaken another year's growth, will be enough to set the scene for a big night.
"We've had a wonderful camp and the boys have been unbelievable," Hodges told QRL Media after yesterday's captain's run.
"I think this is the best spine going around in any league, those four guys together, they are unbelievable.
"AJ is already playing first grade, Harry has had a taste with the Melbourne Storm and I reckon Jake Clifford will take over the halfback reins at the Cowboys when JT (Johnathan Thurston) retires at the end of the season.
"He (Clifford) is just an unbelievable talent and Corey Allen Is going to the Rabbitohs so he can get a crack at the NRL."
"Lockie (Lachlan) Lam has already played for his country and played in the recent Pacific Test while young Reed Mahoney has experienced a little first grade with Parramatta."
Melbourne youngster Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, who will come off the bench, is another special talent according to Hodges.
"I think Tino is going to be a superstar of our game," said Hodges
"For an 18-year-old to come up and play in the 20s, I reckon his is ready for the NRL sooner rather than later.
"He is way too good for that 18-year-old arena. He's a step above everyone else.
"It's a big test for him tonight but we've picked him because we know he is a very passionate kid who will go and do a job for Queensland."
Hodges said the players understood what it meant to wear a Queensland jumper and what was need from them all tonight.
"The boys understand they need to keep turning up for their mates, trust their mates and keep turning NSW back time after time," he said.
"It is no different than when I came through the same pathway.
"It's about building that hatred for the colour blue. That's what it's about it: us verses them.
"Three times a year you have to hate the colour blue so you have to put your best foot forward because you don't know when you will get your next opportunity to pull it on again.
"That's something we spoke to the boys about because the majority of them may never wear a Queensland jersey again.
"The legacy they want to leave it is up to them now.
"They a great bunch of boys and hopefully they grab it with both hands.
Hodges admitted he felt a huge responsibility to help shape the futures of his players, some of whom he believes will go on to play for their state and country.
"I'm always about making sure these boys know what is ahead of them and that every time they put a maroon jersey on it is something special," said the 24-game Queensland Origin warrior.
"It's something you never take for granted and you have to realise the people you are playing for which is every Queenslander.
"There is a lot of pride and passion goes into this jersey, no matter what level you play at, because you are representing the past players who wore the jersey before you."
The Queensland players sat in a circle after training today and many spoke openly about what it means to plat for Queensland and for the people that got them to where they are, their families.
"A lot the kids spoke about watching us former players play for Queensland when they were kids sitting on the family couch with their mum and dads and what it means to them to have this opportunity," Hodges said.
"We've prepared them the best we can.
"Now it is up to them to go out and do the job."
