Cameron Smith and Michael Hagan want referees to be lenient in State of Origin tonight

MAROONS skipper Cameron Smith has urged referees to show leniency in the brutal opening exchanges of Origin I.

MAROONS skipper Cameron Smith and assistant coach Michael Hagan have urged referees Shayne Hayne and Ashley Klein to show leniency in the brutal opening exchanges of Origin I tonight at ANZ Stadium.

While the shoulder charge is now outlawed, neither Smith nor former Maroons half-back Hagan would be surprised if Queensland and Blues players push the boundaries with ferocious hits in the traditionally fiery early minutes.

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Smith, who plays his 28th Origin match tonight, said he did not support foul play, but hopes the veteran whistleblowers allow some latitude and encourage free-flowing play in the series opener in Sydney.

"We'll find out from the first kick-off and we'll see if the shoulder charge rule is out," Smith said.

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"The refs have a difficult job, particularly at Origin level where it is high pressure for the referees as well.

"I'm sure they don't want to be the ones who have a deciding influence on the game. The two guys refereeing (tonight) are experienced, they have done big games before.

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"There is a fairly strict rule on the shoulder charge and it will be interesting to see the ruck interpretation, it has been a lot faster at club level so we have to figure out the referees in the first 10 minutes to see what they are allowing in the ruck. State of Origin traditionally is a bit slower, they allow more work on the ground.

"I think Origin footy is a better game when there is flowing footy, as long as there is nothing illegal and nothing is swept that under the carpet.

"As long as it is the same for both teams, I have no dramas. The fans would rather see a free flowing game than the referees blowing their whistle every few minutes.

Hagan, six Origin matches for Queensland and coached Newcastle to premiership glory in 2001, echoed Smith's thoughts.

"I don't know where those shoulder charges are going to sit in tonight's game," said Hagan as the Maroons completed their traditional pre-match walk this morning.

"There's been a few in recent years. It would be a shame to see penalties issued when it's just a really physical start.

"They might show a little bit of leniency either way but it's a difficult one to know how they are going to rule on it."

Past Origin games have been played under different rules to NRL games with players able to get away with offences that would normally be penalised.

Hagan said Queensland anticipate no late changes with five-eighth Johnathan Thurston (virus) and winger Darius Boyd (bruised ankle) both expected to play.

He said the Maroons had focused on making sure they started the game strongly and controlled their errors.

"We came down a bit earlier than normal on Sunday so we're not rushed and players can really get their heads around that start that we need to be a lot better at," he said.

"Our performances in Sydney the last few years haven't been as good as they needed to be.

"It's individual responsibility across the team and buying into what the team values need to be tonight and work hard for each other.

"They do that traditionally, but we know we can't get left in the blocks."