COREY Oates is State of Origin’s hard-luck kid after being squeezed out of a Queensland team looking for redemption in Game II in Sydney.

Oates scored Queensland’s only try in Origin I and barely put a foot wrong, but he was the man in the wrong jersey at the wrong time as Maroons selectors overhauled the backline and the team to try to salvage the series.

Oates, Maroons stalwarts Sam Thaiday, Aidan Guerra, Nate Myles and Jacob Lillyman, centre Justin O’Neill and injured five-eighth Anthony Milford will all be missing for the June 21 clash, with Queensland bringing in something old and something new to bury the Blues.

It is one of the biggest overhauls to a Queensland team ever made in the middle of the series, but probably to be expected after one of the most devastating losses the Maroons have ever seen.

Legends Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston make their returns to the Queensland team, with Slater’s selection forcing Darius Boyd out of the No.1 jersey, and Oates out of the squad.

Cronulla’s Test winger Valentine Holmes will make his Origin debut in a reshuffled backline.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters said Game II was the right time for Slater and Holmes to team up for the first time as Maroons teammates.

“We’ve picked who we feel are the best 17 for Queensland,” Walters said.

“It’s going to be great with Billy Slater. His omission in game one was a tough decision. We are excited about his inclusion and we’ll need all the greatness that Billy Slater brings.

“The time is right for Valentine Holmes. He is the current Australian winger, leaving him on the sideline was not the right option for Game II.

“I don’t think he can do anymore so he deserves an opportunity to show what he can do.”

Melbourne’s Tim Glasby, North Queensland behemoth Coen Hess and Titans prop Jarrod Wallace are the other new faces called into the squad.

Hess has been a hot topic in selection debate since the series began because of his breakout season with the Cowboys.

A prolific try-scorer and damaging defender, Hess will also bring an injection of size that the Maroons needed after being monstered in the middle third by the Blues in Game I.

Walters said it was a tough decision to farewell some of Queensland’s best servants, but declared a new Maroons era had begun.

“Thaiday, Lillyman and Guerra … all have been long term players for Queensland. Given recent results we felt like we needed changes,” Walters said.

“We didn’t get the result we needed in game one so we went to plan B to bring some new players in the team which haven’t played Origin.

“The transition period for Queensland is now.”

Wallace’s selection was tempered by being charged by the NRL judiciary for a shoulder charge, but the Titan decided to fight the charge in the hope of bringing his good form and big motor to the Queensland pack.

“There’s a loophole in the rule would enable the QRL to pull out of the Wallace situation where he could serve his term … we won’t taking that option. But the QRL will be putting all their resources into proving his innocence,” QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said.

While Hess and Wallace were predictable inclusions, Storm prop Tim Glasby was the left-field bolter. But the Maroons are hopeful his size and defensive strength will help contain NSW’s monster pack.

A fourth Cowboy, backrower Gavin Cooper, has also earned a recall, bringing his damaging left-side combination with Thurston from club level to Origin.

XXXX Queensland Maroons

 Coach: Kevin Walters