NSW five-eighth James Maloney has taken aim at the NRL, venting his frustrations over a perception the governing body is trying to portray the players as money hungry.

James Tedesco can see the irony in reuniting with former Tigers coach Jason Taylor at the Roosters next season, but he insists there's no bad blood between the pair.

Johnathan Thurston has his heart set on Origin I, but has pledged not to let his personal ambition override the team as he races the clock with his injured shoulder.

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The pathos of Billy Slater, Boyd Cordner and Nathan Peats has grabbed the Origin headlines so far this week but to me, there's a much more significant story staring everyone in the face.

Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk say Pearce will have learned valuable lessons from his demoralising series in 2015, when his attempt at mentally rattling Johnathan Thurston backfired badly.

The decision to overlook Robbie Farah in favour of Nathan Peats is a clear indication of the NSW coach's desire to get his halves early ball.

The Maroons captain says Thurston would be given until game time to play in the series opener and could be picked without a single training session to his name.

It's almost three years ago to the day. Suncorp Stadium. May 28, 2014. And NSW staring down the barrel of nine straight series defeats. Enter Jarryd Hayne.

Jarryd Hayne will have a license to roam in next week's State of Origin opener as NSW coach Laurie Daley maximises the returning star's attacking threat.

The Titans hooker reckoned he was never good enough to play for NSW. When Peter Wallace was ruled out, he was rushed into the side for game one.

They reckon big boys don't cry, but the Biggest Blue of them all now has shed a few in his time. And Boyd Cordner is not afraid to admit it too.

Peter Wallace has officially been ruled out of the State of Origin series opener, making way for fiery Titans hooker Nathan Peats to make his NSW debut in game one.

The ruling out of Peter Wallace opens the way for fiery Titans hooker Nathan Peats to make his NSW debut in game one.

Canberra Raider Josh Papalii was unconcerned about whether he got picked for Origin or not.

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Missing superstars are heralding the end of a wonderful era for Queensland.

The Maroons are expecting a roughhouse reception for rookie playmaker Anthony Milford but are confident he can make them pay on the scoreboard as he prepares for his Origin debut.

Kevin Walters held back tears while Gene Miles still rates Slater as the greatest fullback he's seen. But when it came to deciding on Billy Slater and Darius Boyd for Queensland fullback, the vote was unanimous.

Josh Papalii will add a seventh Queensland Maroons jersey to his collection.

Brisbane's Anthony Milford will make his State of Origin debut with Maroons superstar Jonathan Thurston next to no chance of playing in the series opener next Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium.