Queensland coach Kevin Walters has teased fans and media by announcing he will select ‘player No.21’ later this week, but refusing to hint at who it may be.

Following his press conference announcing the team to take on the Blues in game one on June 5, Walters called back journalists and their cameras to announce a few more selections.

“There’s just one more thing I forgot to mention to you just before,” he said.

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“We’ve named Tim Glasby at 18, Anthony Milford at 19, Kurt Capewell will be coming in from the Sharks later in the week as our development players. And then there’s player No.21 to be confirmed.”

Taking the bait, an astute journalist asks: “Is his name Cam Smith?”

To which Walters replies: “I’ll get back to you later in the week.”

The former Queensland star was rumoured to be considering a stunning return to Origin this year, but both player and coach have strenuously denied it.

Recently Smith penned a column for Player’s Voice explaining why he was never going to return to play for Queensland, being happily retired from representative football.

It could be just a red herring from Walters, or it could be the sneakiest selection since Wayne Bennett recalled Allan Langer from England for the 2001 Origin series.

And who could forget former Maroons halfback Cooper Cronk’s triumphant return for the Roosters in last year’s Grand Final in the No.23 jersey.