The build-up to tomorrow's second State of Origin clash has turned ugly, with New South Wales coach Laurie Daley vowing to produce his own dirt file on Queensland's illegal tactics.
Daley yesterday woke to front-page headlines in the Courier Mail newspaper in Brisbane claiming "NSW cheats put on notice", whichwas accompanied by a series of still shots portraying Blues players standing offside at marker in game one, which New South Wales won 14-6.
Maroons officials claim the tactic was being used to curb the dummy half play of skipper Cameron Smith.
But with his side one win away from their first series win since 2005, Daley fired back at Queensland's accusation, saying he too could provide evidence of the Maroons doing the same to his side at ANZ Stadium in Sydney in game one.
While measured in his comments, it was clear Daley was irked by the cheating claim, labelling it a sign of desperation by the Maroons.
"I can give you three or four clips of Queensland not being square at marker, I can give you another three or four clips of them being at least a metre and a half in front of the referee if they want to go down that path," Daley said. "Obviously they feel under a bit of pressure to come out and say those type of things.
"To call us cheats is not in the right spirit."
Daley said he would not use the article as motivation for his players, saying seven straight series losses were all the incentive the Blues needed to beat Queensland tomorrow night.
