Lockyer provides insight into Maroons’ captain, hooker selections for Origin I

Queensland selector Darren Lockyer has lifted the lid on some important decisions that are set to be made before Origin I on June 5.

Lockyer, who was speaking to Wide World of Sports for QLDER, believes Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans would have replaced Greg Inglis as the Maroons' captain for the 2019 State of Origin series, had he not suffered a recent knee injury.

With Cherry_Evans likely to miss out on the series opener, Lockyer said the Maroons would be reluctant to hand Cameron Munster the captaincy, and could instead look to Michael Morgan to lead the Queensland side into battle.

"A lot depends on if Daly's fit. If he's not fit you look at other captaincy candidates; there's Michael Morgan, there's Matt Gillett, there are options there but I think Morgan is probably second in line because of the position he plays in the team," Lockyer said.

"(Munster's claim to captain) is an interesting one. In my view Cameron is a future leader of the team, I know what he's capable of and he can win a game off his own bat but he's learning his trade under Cameron Smith and that's probably the best guy you can learn from in clubland.

"Is it too much pressure on him right now? I'd probably say yes..."

Lockyer also touched on the hooker situation, with reports suggesting Ben Hunt would be favoured over Broncos rake Andrew McCullough.

The Maroons legend wasn't really sold on the idea, and said they'd look to play someone who could sustain the 80-minute rigors of the Origin arena.

"Talking about Ben Hunt, we're talking about him playing hooker, I don't think he plays 80; to put him in at 9 in Origin is a lot different to playing halfback in clubland," Lockyer said.

"Again, you wait until you get to the selection table but I think (Maroons incumbent Andrew) McCullough, if the Broncos can continue to play well he gives himself the best chance.

"In Origin you want impact out of dummy half but you can't underestimate the middle of the field, defensively it is tough work, so someone with a work rate like McCullough is definitely appreciated there."