State of Origin: Meninga denies dirty tactics but happy for NSW to boost Origin niggle stakes

Maroons coach Mal Meninga. Photo / Getty Images

Queensland coach Mal Meninga has welcomed the prospect of New South Wales upping the ante in the niggle stakes in State of Origin II in Melbourne tomorrow night.

Meninga says they have adopted a "whatever-it-takes" attitude to win game two but has dismissed Blues claims they used dirty tactics in their 11-10 Origin I league victory in Sydney.

NSW hooker Robbie Farah reckoned his side were "too clean" in Origin I and Blues prop James Tamou said they would up the "grubbiness" factor at the MCG.

At a dual press conference with Blues coach Laurie Daley at the MCG yesterday, Meninga said the Maroons would be ready for anything. "Bring it on," he said.

"That's good. We have prepared for it all week - that's what Origin is all about.

"You need that attitude and character, that aggressive outlook and mindset to play Origin footy - that's why it is so great.

"If that's the case we have prepared for it."

Asked if NSW's dirty tactics claims were correct, Meninga said: "I don't think so.

"We play with an aggressive mindset.

"I think NSW play with a fairly aggressive mindset, too.

"We want to be successful. We will do whatever is needed to win that footy game."

Meninga dismissed fitness concerns over Billy Slater but expected the Blues to target his shoulder, which may require season-ending surgery after game two. He also gave the green light to prop Matt Scott (knee).

NRL boss Dave Smith says he is reluctant to tinker with the State of Origin schedule, despite criticism that it is harming the NRL competition.

Canterbury coach Des Hasler took aim at power-brokers after his weakened team's loss to Gold Coast on Sunday, claiming the NRL became irrelevant during the Origin period and demanding officials fast-track a solution.

Smith said yesterday that finding a schedule solution that worked well for both the Origin series and the NRL competition was a balancing act.

But he did not expect to change it any time soon, describing Origin as the "jewel in the crown".