Not since Cameron Munster was eight months old has a Queenslander been tasked with a tougher job in State of Origin.
Having never captained at club level before April, Munster has been charged with leading his state's revival and stopping a second straight series loss.
When Munster leads the Maroons onto Optus Stadium in Perth on Wednesday night, he will become the 16th man to captain Queensland in Origin.
None have taken on the role in tougher circumstances than Trevor Gillmeister, leading a side decimated by the Super League war in 1995.
Munster may be taking the hardest carry of any captain since, after the mid-series axing of Daly Cherry-Evans.
The 30-year-old's first game in charge will come with a new halfback beside him in Tom Dearden and behind a forward pack dominated in the series-opening loss.
Queensland's back five is also facing a reshuffle, after the left edge was beaten in Brisbane and NSW's outside men won the yardage battle in the 18-6 victory.
But it is not lost on Munster or Queensland that the Blues proved just last year that the Maroons' current predicament is not a case of mission impossible.
NSW were flogged 38-10 at home in the 2024 series opener, before winning the final two games on the road to lift the shield.
They have since won two games straight at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since 1997 and 1998, taking last year's series and 1-0 lead this season in the process.
Queensland must now climb their own Everest.
The Maroons have never won in Perth, and even if they did force an upset on Wednesday night would then face a decider in Sydney.Â
Never before have Queensland come from 1-0 down to win a series with the last two games on the road.
"Everyone's talking about the Blues not winning back-to-back games at Suncorp and they've done that," Munster said.
"So at the end of the day there's always history to be broken and our backs are against the wall.
"No one's given us a chance and we're striving at it and we're going to Perth. We haven't got the best record but who's to say we can't do it?"
If Queensland were to defy history over the next three weeks, Munster would go some way to replicating the heroics of Gillmeister and his 1995 series sweep.
More recently, Munster's idols as Queensland captains are the architects of the state's greatest 11-year dynasty in Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith.
The Melbourne No.6 has also made a point to speak to Cherry-Evans since the 36-year-old was ousted, vowing to do his old halves partner proud and embody his leadership on the field.
"He's obviously been a great captain for the state for a long time," Munster said.
"He's just such a calm, collected person on the field and even off the field but he makes it really simple for his teammates.
"He doesn't have to say a whole heap but when he does everyone listens so hopefully I have that aura about myself in this group.
"Hopefully I can go out there and make him proud, make the state proud as the captain and hopefully stay in this role a little bit longer."
NSW players expect Munster to rise to the occasion, with prop Stefano Utoikamanu having played four games under him at the Storm in recent months.
"It's a big call, but they're probably hoping to get the best out of him putting him on that pedestal," Utoikamanu said.
"He's a big-game player and we know he's going to be one of their best.
"We expect nothing less of him and we know that he's in for a big game and someone that we're looking to target."