"It's a new era. Cameron Smith is captain. And the side has a wealth of experience and we expect them to play to their potential.''
Gillett ensured honest backrow toiler Corey Parker was overlooked while Tate snapped up the vacant wing spot ahead of Melbourne's Dane Nielsen and North Queensland's Ash Graham.
"Regardless of the team picked they are going to be committed,'' Meninga said.
"They will bring a lot of enthusiasm.''
On debutant Gillett, Meninga said: "He deserves his opportunity - his time has come.''
Just as Meninga would not buy into the sentiment surrounding Lockyer's final Origin series in 2011, he did not want to read too much into what will be retiring forward Petero Civoniceva's last tour.
"I never questioned Petero being in there - he just had to make himself available,'' Meninga said of the veteran forward's Origin credentials.
"His mere presence provides confidence to the side.
"He has been around a long time. He has been a great warrior.
"And being his last year he is invaluable leading our pack to hopefully great performances.''
After effortlessly handling Lockyer's last Origin hurrah in 2011, Meninga did not expect the Queensland side to be distracted by Civoniceva's send-off.
"Lockyer wasn't that way either. He didn't want too much fuss,'' Meninga said of Civoniceva.
"I thought we handled that well and I think we will handle this well too.''
The opening State of Origin game is in Melbourne on May 23.
Queensland's 19-man squad: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Jonathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith (capt), Petero Civoniceva, Sam Thaiday, Nate Myles, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matt Gillett, Dave Taylor, Ben Hannant, David Shillington
18th man: Daly Cherry-Evans. Shadow: Dane Nielsen. Coach: Mal Meninga.
- AAP
