The 2015 State of Origin series opener is almost upon us, with the first instalment of rugby league’s most hyped contest set down for 8pm on Wednesday night at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

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We take a look at the 10 burning questions that Origin I will dish up answers for.

Does NSW have the desire to go back-to-back?

After the enormity of last year’s triumph, can the Blues go to the well again? Photo: Getty

Fervour for Origin football skyrocketed south of the border as Queensland’s record winning streak grew, and the scenes after NSW’s series-sealing game two win last year – on the back of a courageous triumph in Brisbane in the first clash – were some of the most stirring and emotional in the concept’s rich narrative.

But is that fire still burning in the bellies of the Blues’ players and their fans? Indications are they will struggle to fill ANZ Stadium, an arena that lacks atmosphere unless filled to the brim, and there are six players missing from last year’s watershed victory at the same venue.

Is the Queensland team too old?

‘Dad’s Army’ jibes have been increasing in volume since the Maroons’ spine – and a number of other mainstays – all turned 30, with some pundits believing the age factor contributed to their first series defeat in nine years.

The listless performance of the Kangaroos, whose line-up was built around that ageing (and decidedly tired-looking) Queensland core, in the recent loss to a youthful Kiwis side added further credence to that contention.

Will Mitchell Pearce be remembered as an Origin failure?

Pearce has won just three of 12 previous appearances for the Blues and his Origin career to date has been a litany of handling errors, errant kicking and poor decision-making – all backed up by damning statistics.

The Roosters captain’s stellar club form earned him a recall – in the No.6 jumper, which he will wear for the first time in his senior career.

It shapes as a test the equal of any he has faced in a chequered representative tenure, particularly given the dubious form of Trent Hodkinson, Pearce’s sixth NSW halves partner.

Did ‘Loz’ and ‘Bozo’ blow it by dropping Luke Lewis?

Luke Lewis won’t be there on Wednesday night. Photo: Getty

Super-consistent, ultra-versatile veteran Luke Lewis’ omission was the major shock on Origin teams announcement day.

The Blues showed their hand by picking a massive, four-forward bench consisting of Boyd Cordner, Trent Merrin, David Klemmer and Andrew Fifita.

The tactic backfired on the Maroons as recently as the 2013 series opener, overwhelmed 14-6 in a major upset with an interchange contingent made up of Ben Te’o, Matt Gillett, Chris McQueen and Corey Parker – a considerably more versatile and mobile bunch than the quartet NSW will trot out on Wednesday night.

Daly Cherry-Evans debuted off the bench in the ensuing match, while Michael Morgan will fulfil the utility role for Queensland this week. Any backline or key-position injuries could be catastrophic for the Blues.

Has New Zealand’s Test dominance diminished Origin’s appeal?

Besides unbridled state passion, State of Origin’s lofty status as the pinnacle of rugby league competition has been built on the notion that Queensland and NSW are the two best teams in the world.

The Kiwis’ hat-trick of convincing wins over the Kangaroos – the cream of the Origin line-ups – has turned that idea on its head and has arguably taken a bit of the sting out of this year’s series.

Restoring Origin as a genuine Test team trial and scheduling internationals later (instead of three weeks before the series opener, as was the case with the Anzac Test this year) is the way forward.

Do we need specialist wingers at rep level?

Will Will Chambers be exposed on a wing? Photo: Getty

Picking fullbacks or centres on the wing in rep teams is an age-old tactic based on the ‘pick your best 13 players’ principle, but Will Hopoate is not Michael O’Connor and Will Chambers is not Dale Shearer.

Specialist flank-men Jason Nightingale and Manu Vatuvei have been vital cogs in the Kiwis’ recent success, with the latter ruthlessly exposing wing novice Josh Dugan during the Anzac Test. Hopoate and Chambers are obvious targets for their respective opposition.

How much will the Blues miss Gallen, Bird and Hayne?

Lewis’ axing, combined with the injury to captain Paul Gallen, who broke into the NSW side in 2006, and the unavailability of 2007 debutants Greg Bird (suspension) and Jarryd Hayne (NFL) has stripped the Blues of their axis of experience, not to mention a huge portion of the side’s heart and soul.

Pearce (12 matches), Michael Jennings (12), Ryan Hoffman (11) and Robbie Farah (11) are the shield-holders’ most experienced Origin combatants, while the Maroons will field a staggering eight players with 20-plus appearances to their name and another three who have turned out 13 or more times for their state.

Whose Origin careers are all but over?

A loss, combined with a subpar individual performance, is likely to permanently bring down the curtain on the Origin tenures of several players.

Will a poor performance cost Nate Myles his place? Photo: Getty

Hodkinson, Pearce, Hopoate, Daniel Tupou, James Tamou and Hoffman can ill-afford a poor display in a beaten Blues side, and Farah would be on notice but for a lack of top-shelf alternatives.

Likewise, Maroons forwards Nate Myles, Matt Gillett and Jacob Lillyman will be in danger of feeling the same selection axe that chopped regulars Ashley Harrison and David Shillington out of the side after the 2013 series-opening loss, while Sam Thaiday and Justin Hodges are far from untouchable.

Has Queensland truly overcome its ANZ hoodoo?

The record-breaking Maroons, after failing to notch a win in their first 11 visits to ANZ Stadium, won five of six matches at the Olympic venue from 2007-10.

But the travelling trend has been reversed again in recent seasons, prevailing in just one of their past six matches in Sydney.

Queensland has also won just one of seven series openers at the cavernous stadium, while the long-dominant northerners’ powerful attacking arsenal has had difficulties with the traditionally greasy conditions.

Who will win the 2015 series?

History tells us the team that goes up 1-0 almost always takes out the series.

There have been just seven exceptions to the rule in 33 previous three-match campaigns: Queensland in 1982, 1987, 2006, 2008 and 2013, and NSW in 1994 and 2005.

The Blues face a particularly steep uphill climb to glory if they are toppled at home with the ensuing two clashes in Melbourne and Brisbane – they have won just two of 11 game three deciders staged outside of Sydney.

And who will win Origin 1? Queensland by four points.