New South Wales back rower Josh Jackson has been anointed as the man to hunt Queensland star Johnathan Thurston in next week's State Of Origin opener, handed the mantle by axed Blues hitman Beau Scott.

A thorn in Thurston's paw for the best part of six years, Scott was one of nine omissions from the team humiliated in last year's decider.

While the Parramatta back rower has not given up hope of featuring later in the series, he has crowned Jackson as his heir apparent to hound the Maroons' orchestrator at Homebush on Wednesday night.

"Jacko's filled my shoes in that department. I'm pretty positive he can get the job done," Scott said on Friday at Eels training.

Blues coach Laurie Daley phoned Scott last week to deliver the bad news, an act the 32-year-old greatly appreciated.

"It's never a phone call he'd like to make, but he's done it for the greater [good] of the team going forward," Scott said.

"You always appreciate it when someone speaks from the heart and gives you the truth behind the story.

"I was a little bit disappointed, as you would be. It's a great game to be involved in. Laurie's got his reasons and I support him. Hopefully, the team can do us proud on Wednesday."

Beau Scott (right) got under the skin of the Maroons more than a few times. ( Getty Images: Mark Nolan )

Scott said he would gladly welcome a call-up for game two in Brisbane, but hoped changes were not necessary.

"You always hold hope of getting another opportunity, but I hope not. I hope the boys play really well on Wednesday night and can claim the series in Game II and go on from there," he said.

"It is [unselfish], but I want to see us succeed. I think they're doing the right things to enjoy the benefits of that. There's a lot of youth - it's more of a long-term team than the last couple of years."

Eels team-mate Clint Gutherson said many a Queenslander would be relieved at Scott's absence.

"I would be. He's a bit of a nut on the field. I'd be happy not to have him against me," he said.

Origin I teams: Matt Moylan 1 Darius Boyd Blake Ferguson 2 Corey Oates Michael Jennings 3 Greg Inglis Josh Morris 4 Justin O'Neill Josh Mansour 5 Dane Gagai James Maloney 6 Johnathan Thurston Adam Reynolds 7 Cooper Cronk Aaron Woods 8 Matt Scott Robbie Farah 9 Cameron Smith (c) Paul Gallen (c) 10 Nate Myles Boyd Cordner 11 Matt Gillett Josh Jackson 12 Sam Thaiday Greg Bird 13 Corey Parker Bench Dylan Walker 14 Michael Morgan James Tamou 15 Josh McGuire David Klemmer 16 Aidan Guerra Andrew Fifita 17 Josh Papalii

AAP