Powerful Cowboys prop Matt Scott continues to be driven by his painful axing from the Queensland side which launched the Maroons’ remarkable State of Origin streak in 2006.

Scott was among several casualties from the side which lost the first game that year, with NSW on the verge of an unprecedented fourth successive series win.

He didn’t get an Origin recall until the 2009 series.

“I was never bitter about being dropped, we had a lot of debutants in that game,” said Scott who’ll go head-to-head with North Queensland teammate and NSW enforcer James Tamou in Sydney on Wednesday night.

“We were copping criticism before the game.”

Critics targeted prop Petero Civoniceva as being too old and Darren Lockyer as a defensive liability.

“Six years later, Locky and Petero were still leading the team and a lot of people eating their words,” said Scott.”

Scott admits he probably wasn’t experienced enough to have been selected for Origin in 2006.

“To be honest, I don’t think I stepped up as I should have,” he told AAP.

But he had no desire to join 19 players who’d made just one Origin appearance for Queensland since 1980.

“I always wanted to get back. I got injured just before the 2007 series and missed most of 2008 with injury, I think I only played three or four games all season,” he said.

“It was heartbreaking for a young guy.

“I thought it was the end of the world back then.”

Scott believes this year’s series will be Queensland’s toughest yet with the NSW side new coach Laurie Daley has put together.

“He’s done a great job. It’s the best squad they’ve picked since I’ve been involved,” he said.

“They’ve got in-form players and club combinations in key positions.

“It’s going to be a tough series for us.”