Full-back Matt Bowen has been dropped from the Queensland side for next Wednesday's second State of Origin match against New South Wales in Brisbane.
Test custodian Karmichael Hunt comes into the side, with selectors opting not to move captain Darren Lockyer from five-eighth.
Chairman of selectors Des Morris said it was a tough call to drop Bowen.
"He was unlucky, but as you all realise we've got quite a few full-backs and Karmichael is the current Australian full-back and we thought he deserved an opportunity," he said.
Mr Morris also said there was never a strong push to switch Lockyer to full-back.
"Locky's been playing tremendous at five-eighth," he said.
"We haven't been able to get up a win in the series but I hardly think it's his fault.
"We've beefed up the forwards a bit so hopefully it'll take a bit of pressure off him during the game."
The Maroons have made two other changes to the side that lost game one 17-16 in Sydney.
Back rowers David Stagg and Matt Scott make way for Tonie Carroll and Chris Flannery.
Selectors have also named Justin Hodges even though the centre has been sidelined since game one with a hamstring injury.
Mr Morris said he would be given a chance to prove his fitness this week.
"We've had confirmation this morning that he would have been playing for the Broncos on Friday week, so with that only being two days after the State of Origin the medical people seem to think he'll be right," he said.
The team also includes Storm winger Greg Inglis, despite medical experts all but ruling him out because of a back injury.
Inglis has a stress fracture and his club Melbourne said he would be sidelined for at least two weeks.
Storm physiotherapist Mary Toomey said she has told Maroons officials that there was no point in flying Inglis to Brisbane for Wednesday's medicals.
"I think once you have established the diagnosis, there's not really any point of discussion whether he should or should not play," she said.
"The correct thing to do is to give him time off.
"So I would think they would be happy with that but I'm just waiting for them to confirm it."
Queensland
Karmichael Hunt, Brent Tate, Justin Hodges, Steven Bell, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer (c), Jonathan Thurston, Steve Price, Cameron Smith, Petero Civoniceva, Tonie Carroll, Carl Webb, Dallas Johnson.
Interchange: Shaun Berrigan, Chris Flannery, Sam Thaiday and Nate Myles.
