Game II in Sydney will be far from the first time Coen Hess has pulled on a Maroons jersey. The Mount Isa product has also run out for the U16, U18 and U20 Queensland teams but yesterday's Origin selection at age 20 was a "massive step".
"For me, being as young as I am, it will obviously be a really big learning curve. Getting to learn off guys who have been here before, who obvisouly have a lot of experience," the try-scoring Cowboys backrower said.
"It will be a massive step in my career."
He shared the thrill he felt when coach Kevin Walters called with the news.
“I got a new phone and I saw a random number, deep down I was hoping it was Kevvie. I answered the phone and it was him. I was over the moon.”
And he felt honoured to be joining Cowboys teammate Johnathan Thurston in the Queensland colours.
“That’s something I’ll always have – just to be able to say I ran out alongside him in the Queensland jumper.
"That’s something I’ll definitely cherish for the rest of my life.”
Queensland play the NSW Blues in Game II at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, on June 21.