Champion five-eighth Johnathan Thurston is officially out of State of Origin Game One.

Scans revealed his injured shoulder won’t be right in time.

Bronco Anthony Milford will make his debut next Wednesday.

Bryce Heaton reports.

TRANSCRIPT.

He’s overcome illness, injury and the odds to take the field for Queensland before, but for the Maroons this time it wasn’t to be.

Thurston shattered he won’t be able to play against the Blues in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Johnathan Thurston, Injured Maroon: “Had a chat to the doctor and the physio last night, didn’t wanna believe it. Went for a scan this morning, confirmed that I won’t be fit enough to play.”

Replacing him in the halves is live-wire Anthony Milford making his Origin debut.

Half back Cooper Cronk has every confidence in the 22-year-old.

Cooper Cronk, Maroons Half back: “While we’re losing it in a way we’re picking up in another. So for Milford example his ability to beat someone one on one is up there with the best in the game.”

It’ll be the first time Cronk hasn’t had Thurston as his halves pairing at Origin level, something the Blues will be keen to exploit.

Cooper Cronk, Maroons Half back: “Yeah I’ve never experienced it so it will be a little bit strange.”

Thurston hopes to be fit to play for the Cowboys in their clash with the Eels in two weeks time.

For Thurston, it ends a record run of 36 straight Origins stretching back to Game 1, 2005.

Questions loom over whether he’ll be right come Game 2, in what is his last year of representative footy, joining the likes of Wally Lewis at the end of the year as a former Origin great.

Titans prop Jarrod Wallace joins the squad as 18th man.

Bryce Heaton, QUT News.