What started as a charm offensive from Queensland coach Mal Meninga ended with another thinly veiled barb that will only further turn up the heat on officials in the State of Origin game two clash at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
Accused by NSW of trying to influence the referees ahead of their must-win Origin II showdown, Meninga admitted on Tuesday that his “honest” Queensland team had also breached a few rules in the series opening 14-6 loss.
However, Meninga ended up lobbing another grenade by concluding that they wanted to win in the “fairest way”.
“We’re nice, we’re very nice Queenslanders,” Meninga smiled.
“That is the way we like it and we’re honest so you can trust us.
“All those nice qualities go into making up a Queenslander and you know we like winning the fairest way.”
Both camps have been involved in a tit for tat smear campaign since NSW captain Paul Gallen claimed he punched Nate Myles in the series opener in retaliation over his alleged dirty tactics.
Meninga put his hand up that Queensland were no angels in game one but hoped the officials weren’t the talking point once again after game two as the Maroons looked to keep alive hopes of an eighth straight series win.
“We just want the referee to referee it fair, you know,” Meninga said.
“(NSW coach) Laurie (Daley) is right in a way. We did jump the mark a few times in the game and we didn’t get square at marker a couple of times in the game too.
“We just want an even share of the referees’ decisions through the game.
“The only thing we have complained about is getting a fair go from the referees.
“We would like to the see the referees not play a part, that would be good.”
Still, former Queensland coach Michael Hagan dived into the debate on Tuesday by refuting Daley’s claims that the last eight times NSW had played in Brisbane they had only won the penalty count once.
“He got a bit upset, Loz, about all that,” Hagan told Sky Sports Radio.
“But he then tossed up the penalty count issue in Brisbane. I’ve got to remind everyone that for the last eight games in all venues we’ve won two of those penalty counts.
“Loz might need to get his facts reviewed when he goes to the media next time.”
Gallen arrived in Brisbane as public enemy No.1 but Meninga laughed off claims that he would be targeted.
“You are not going to bait me into making a comment about that – it’s a bit silly really,” he said.
“The game is fast enough as it is, we are not thinking about going the biff.”
Queensland captain Cameron Smith admitted they had begun to believe their own hype after winning seven straight series but Meninga said he was happy with his team’s headspace ahead of their crunch clash.
“I think it was a bit of a step in the players’ mentality,” Meninga said of their Sunshine Coast team camp.
“I’m pretty happy with the way things are going at the moment. I think our heads are right. I’m thinking and believe we will get the start right.”