Queensland strolled into their pre-Origin media session an hour-and-a-half late but bounced around like it was their first day at school. Times sure have changed; instead of a bonding session over a few beers to start their camp, they had been to a presentation about mindfulness and gratitude.

That came courtesy of Hugh van Cuylenburg, a co-founder of The Resilience Project, who had urged the players to embrace the moment and remember the simple joys of their job. For the new faces in the team, Selwyn Cobbo, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter, it was some welcome context as they approach the biggest test of their brief careers.

“Hugh is a unique and special guy. I hadn’t seen him in person until today. He said something in there that resonated with me, it helps you want to be the best version of yourself. It’s much more than being a good player, it’s about being a good person for those people around you,” said Maroons veteran Dane Gagai.

“As a kid, you grow up and all you want to do is play for Queensland. He helped to remind us that we have some new guys who are having the best day of their career and to make sure we help them live in that moment and be present, not look to what will happen in a week’s time.”

Earlier in the day, new Maroons mentor Billy Slater had been asked what sort coach he would be as he embarked on his maiden series. He said he would simply be himself and maybe this is what that looks like. As Brad Fittler has done for NSW, Slater has already started to think outside the square.

That energised old faces as well as new. Felise Kaufusi, who had heard van Cuylenburg speak once before at the Storm, said it showed Slater was willing to go beyond the regular Origin playbook that has been the template of any number of past camps.

“It’s something a bit left-field, not just someone talking about Origin-this, Origin-that, which is great but totally different. This was fresh, broke the ice,” Kaufusi said.

The first Queensland team in the Slater era was almost universally lauded, with the selection of Ben Hunt to start at hooker and the injured Harry Grant moving to the bench one of the only surprises.

Selectors Gene Miles and Darren Lockyer also handed debuts to Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo and Cowboys forwards Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter.

“It’s amazing. I wouldn’t have thought I’d be here this year,” Cobbo said. “Billy rang me about 7pm, told me I was in the team. I rang my parents first, I told them I made the team, it was proud and emotional. He just told me to keep doing what I’ve been doing and confidence takes you a long way.”