Maroons lose Lockyer

Queensland five-eighth Darren Lockyer was today ruled out of the first State of Origin match at Stadium Australia next Wednesday night.

Lockyer was to be given until Monday to prove his fitness but was ruled out of the match by doctors at a team medical in Sydney this morning.

However, there?s speculation that Queensland may pull out a huge shock next Wednesday afternoon by naming Lockyer in their starting side at the last minute.

Lockyer suffered a rib injury while playing for Australia against New Zealand last month and has been out of football for some weeks.

On the official side of things, however, Shane Webcke will become Maroons captain while Matthew Bowen, originally named a stand-by player, will come into the 17-man squad.

Roosters utility Chris Flannery will take over the five-eighth role.