Daly Cherry-Evans has sensationally been dropped by Queensland ahead of a must-win State of Origin match.
Coach Billy Slater named his 20-player squad for Game 2 on Monday morning, with Tom Dearden to step in at halfback.
'DCE' becomes the first Maroons captain to be axed mid-series since Trevor Gillmeister in 1996.
Slater revealed that he made a tough phone call to the 36-year-old on Sunday.
MORE: QLD Maroons squad for Game II
"No (I didn’t meet with Cherry-Evans)," he said.
"I had a phone call with him yesterday (Sunday).
"Obviously, Daly wanted to play and he was disappointed that he wasn’t didn’t get the opportunity, but you know he took the news with great character and great respect.
"We have a good relationship – I played alongside Daly, been the coach, and he’s been the captain over the last four years.
"They’re tough conversations, but it was one that was had with respect."
Slater was also asked whether Cherry-Evans is being made a scapegoat following the Game 1 loss.
"It’s not the case," the Maroons coach said.
"It’s a case of the best person for the position.
"It is what it is – when you’re in this position, you’ve got to think about what’s best for the team."
Cherry-Evans is one of a handful of changes made following the opener.
Titans forward Beau Fermor has made way for Warriors veteran Kurt Capewell, while utility Kurt Mann has been promoted to the bench.