Nicknamed the "Maroons" after the colour of their jersey, they play three times a year against arch-rivals New South Wales in the State of Origin series.

The team is currently coached by Billy Slater and captained by Daly Cherry-Evans, and is administered by the Queensland Rugby League.

Since 1908, a rugby league team representing Queensland has been assembled from players based in the state to compete annually against New South Wales.

From 1980 onwards, when Queensland was first allowed to select players of local origin even if they were currently at clubs outside its borders, the team's success rate against New South Wales improved dramatically.

As of 2023, the Maroons have won thirteen out of the past eighteen series, including a record-breaking eight successive State of Origin victories between 2006 and 2013.

Queensland had already been playing in their maroon jerseys each year against New South Wales in their sky blue before the split in rugby football between union and league took place.

Jack Fihelly Still some months away from having its own competition, when Queensland first played rugby league against New South Wales in the opening match of the 1908 interstate series they lost 43–0.

New South Wales had won every match between the two states until 1922, when the Maroons, with Cyril Connell playing at halfback, achieved their maiden victory.

During the 1953 American All Stars tour of Australia and New Zealand Queensland hosted a match at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, winning 39–39 before a crowd of 24,397.

In 1981, legendary captain Arthur Beetson was ready to play before injury ruled him out, so he became coach of the team, and would remain so for the next three years.

The first against Hull Kingston Rovers resulted in an 8–6 loss, though the Wally Lewis led Maroons then easily won their remaining matches against Wigan (40–2) and Leeds (58–2).

Queensland's poor performance could be seen as Arthur Beetson retiring as coach or New South Wales halfback Steve Mortimer in good form.

In 1988, the introduction of Queensland-based clubs for the first grade competition Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast, saw more wealth of talent for Queensland.

With veteran Mal Meninga taking over as captain, Lowe continuing as coach, the Queensland team were unable to show any spark against New South Wales.

Allan Langer returned in style in a man of the match appearance guiding the Queensland team to a close 24–23 win in the first game.

This saw coach Bennett take a huge risk, bringing out of retirement Allan Langer to make a miraculous comeback.

Although some thought Langer couldn't rise to the challenge, the great halfback inspired Queensland to a win in the final game 40–14.

Queensland won Game Two 26–18 in spite of a horror debut by winger Justin Hodges who gifted New South Wales two tries via ingoal mistakes.

The 2005 series again was not much better for Queensland in spite of a Game One win in Golden Point extra time due to an intercept try to Matthew Bowen off a wayward Brett Kimmorley pass.

A comeback in the second half wasn't enough to win, New South Wales getting home 17–16 on the back of a field goal in the final moments by halfback and last minute Blues replacement Brett Finch.

However a miraculous comeback started by Johnathan Thurston and Brent Tate and an intercept try by Lockyer saw them steal the win and the series.

The mid-season test against the Kiwis in 2009 saw a record-equalling ten Queensland representatives, including an all maroon backline and front row.

In 2012, Queensland won game III 21–20 by a field goal in front of a mostly Maroon crowd at Suncorp stadium, making 7 series wins in a row.

Game III of the series set a number of State of Origin records, including most goals in a game by a team (9 goals), biggest winning margin (46 points) and highest ever attendance at Suncorp (52,500), with Cameron Smith making his 36th appearance for Queensland in the same match, drawing level with Darren Lockyer for the record of most appearances for Queensland.

In his farewell match, which he watched from the coach's box, Queensland defeated NSW 22–6 to win their third straight series and their eleventh from twelve.

Significant changes were made to the Queensland team for 2018 following the retirement of key players Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk and the absence of Matthew Scott and Darius Boyd.

[17] Darren Lockyer – FB Cecil Aynsley – WG Tom Gorman – CE Mal Meninga – CE Denis Flannery – WG Wally Lewis – FE (c) Allan Langer – HB Mick Madsen – PR Noel Kelly – HK Duncan Hall – PR Brian Davies – SR Arthur Beetson – SR Bob Lindner – LK Jim Craig – positions Duncan Thompson – positions Gene Miles – positions Herb Steinohrt – positions Following Queensland's victory in the 2020 series as State of Origin celebrated its 40th anniversary, Origin legends including Wally Lewis, Paul Vautin, Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston along with New South Wales' Peter Sterling and Andrew Johns selected Queensland's best 17 over the 40 years of State of Origin.

[19][20] In 2000, after Queensland's embarrassing series defeat to New South Wales, Bennett returned to coach the Maroons and established the Emerging Origin program in conjunction with the QAS.

On 20 December 2019, the Queensland Rugby League announced a 33-man Maroons squad, which included current representatives and uncapped players, to take part in a two-day camp, moving away from the traditional Emerging Origin concept.

St George Illawarra Dragons The most-capped Queensland State of Origin player is Cameron Smith, with 42 caps.