They met as kids, became mates, then teammates and passed 2000 points within hours of each other. And modern greats Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith show no signs of slowing down.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters didn't need a season ending injury to highlight how important Josh Papalii is.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters will be a keen observer of Dave Taylor and the Canberra Raiders.

Prop Matt Scott will miss the season with a knee injury, joining Greg Inglis on the sidelines as Queensland begin the search to replace two of their Origin fixtures.

Hayne will have scans on Monday and they are expected to confirm that he will be out of action until midway through next month.

Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns has implored NSW not to pick Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary anytime soon, believing the young guns could be forever scarred if they were to make their State of Origin debuts before their time.

The way Peter Sterling sees it, the biggest issue he and Laurie Daley may face this winter won't necessarily be the age-old dilemma of how to beat Queensland, but narrowing down the list of their State of Origin candidates to the allocation of 17 sky-blue jumpers. 

With a 24-7 sports bar, Marquee nightclub, hundreds of poker machines and blackjack tables and the fact it is the very place where many a rugby league player has thrown away his career - and where Corey Norman was last year busted with MDMA and muscle relaxants while rubbing shoulders with underworld figures - it seems the logical place to stay.

The NSWRL will launch its own investigations into an AVO application against long-time staffer Matt Parish before determining whether he will play a role in this year's State of Origin series.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, one of the most important figures in State of Origin history, believes there's merit in rival code rugby union's plan to stage their own version of the interstate battle.

​Moses Mbye is out to prove he's the man to inherit Johnathan Thurston's coveted Queensland jersey during Friday's NRL All Stars match.

It may just be a matter of time before there is a third Trbojevic in the same Manly, and perhaps even NSW, side.

The Maroons great says he will bow out of Origin and rep football in 2017, although Queensland Rugby League bosses are yet to get the memo.

NSW Blues legend believes if the Canberra Raiders continue their winning ways then they'll be rewarded at Origin time.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters has resisted the urge to stake an early claim for Kalyn Ponga's allegiance, overlooking the NRL prodigy for the 2017 Emerging Maroons squad.

State of Origin is still more than five months away but NSW coach Laurie Daley has given his first selection insight declaring Jarryd Hayne, Matt Moylan and James Tedesco will all be picked.

Newly appointed NSW adviser Peter Sterling believes the Blues' next generation isn't far from State of Origin success.

Sam Kasiano, despite a change in eligibility rules that makes it easier to do so, can't bring himself to pull on a Maroons jumper.

Newly appointed NSW advisor Peter Sterling believes Mitchell Peace still has a State of Origin career ahead of him and predicts the Roosters halfback could even be a captaincy contender if he makes next year's side.