Queensland veteran Will Chambers has faith in the next generation of Maroons to step up and prove they are capable of performing at Origin level.
With the likes of Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis all now retired from representative football, the new-look Maroons will be left with a host of fresh faces to pick from when the first Origin game kicks off against New South Wales next month.
Chambers, who will be one of Queensland's most experienced Origin players should he get picked for the June 5 series opener, expects whoever is selected for the Maroons will wear the jersey with aplomb.
The centre also made note of the rebuild Queensland are going through and compared their current plight to what New South Wales endured before they claimed last year's Origin series 2-1.
"There are going to be a few boys that aren't going to be there, but we will be all right," Chambers said.
"It's the same as what New South Wales did last year when they went through a rebuilding phase... it is just part and parcel (of Origin football).
"People move on at different stages but take it for what it is and enjoy the occasion... it is time for some young kids to move on up and take advantage of their opportunity."
Storm v Eels - Round 9
There has been plenty of talk in recent weeks surrounding the possibility of Smith returning to representative football in 2019 in the role of saviour for Queensland as they look to regain the Origin series they lost last year.
And while Chambers said he would love to have the most capped Queenslander of all time run out alongside him next month, he knows it's time for one of the other young stars in the NRL to take his mantle in the No.9 jersey.
"Jake Granville is playing some good football, Benny Hunt can play hooker and [Reed] Mahoney from Parramatta… is [also] playing some decent footy," Chambers noted.
"There are some young kids who are putting their hand up to play there and, as much as you would love to have Cam play for Queensland, he is happily retired.
"I would love for him to come back and play, but let the kids come in and take their opportunity."
Chambers' current focus is at club level, with the 30-year-old set to run out for his 200th first-grade game on Saturday night when the Melbourne Storm take on the Eels as part of NRL Magic Round.
The milestone has been a long time coming for the Storm centre, who spent two years playing rugby union at the start of the decade and endured an injury-interrupted season in 2016 as he battled foot problems.
Now Chambers is considered one of the most consistent players in the game and it comes as no surprise he paid tribute to veteran coach Craig Bellamy and the club that gave him his chance in rugby league.
"To play 200 games is something special and especially to do it at this great club," he said.
"This organisation has been so good to me and they have given me the lifestyle I get to live and have got me to the elite level.
"Without this organisation I probably would have never played for Queensland or Australia.
"To get the opportunity to come here and play NRL was one thing. For them to develop me to a player that was able to play at the elite level is really special."
