Queensland the pioneers of the State of Origin whinge

"IF we get beaten we just put our hand up and say we should play better ... they (NSW) don't seem to have that sort of mentality." - Mal Meninga.

"IF we get beaten we just put our hand up and say we should play better ... they (NSW) don't seem to have that sort of mentality." - Mal Meninga, Courier Mail, June 7, 2012.

Thank you, Mal, for putting us straight on that one.

The noted humorist Andrew Webster was remarking recently how sick he is, already this series, of hearing Queensland whinge about NSW whingeing about the referees, the footnote, of course, being Queensland's claim they never whinge.

Here in NSW we've always believed we don't whinge any harder or worse than Queensland, it's just that we don't get upset about it like Queensland do.

Are we really worse than Queensland, as Meninga suggests? Or is Queensland once again guilty of selective memory, as often seems the case? For a little perspective, let's look again at the press clippings between May 27 and June 16 in 2006, as just one example.

To put us in the mood, they were dark days for Queensland. Meninga had just coached his first Origin game, a 17-16 loss, on May 24.

To add to Mal's stress levels, the Maroons had lost the previous three series and so now, one game down, they were just a loss away from becoming the first team in Origin history to lose four straight series.

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But all is well in Queensland, right?

"Maroons legend Paul Vautin is a strong supporter of moving Lockyer to the No.1 jersey." - Ben Dorries, Courier Mail, May 27, 2006.

"I think NSW might have had us beaten at the selection table this time around. - Wayne Bennett, Courier Mail, May 27.

"Darren Lockyer is not leadership material at Origin level. He's a great player, no doubt, and has an aura about him. But to me, he does not motivate his men, he leads more by example." - Greg Dowling, The Cairns Post, June 1.

"If we don't do something and try some other blokes I am worried we will be beaten again." - Mark Murray, Courier Mail, May 27.

"Maroons legend Artie Beetson yesterday warned Queensland's State of Origin campaign was in danger of self-destructing. - Barry Dick, Courier Mail, June 2.

"We're getting like New South Wales were in the '80s. We used to laugh at the way they would tear themselves apart after a loss and now we're doing the same." - Arthur Beetson, Courier Mail, June 2.

"I'm not worried about the quality of the team Mal Meninga and the selectors have come up with, but I am worried about the amount of time we'll be able to squeeze out of some of our forwards." - Gorden Tallis, Courier Mail, June 6.

"It's the old story. If we win Mal is a genius. If we lose either he can't coach or the selectors can't pick a team." - Ross Livermore, Courier Mail, June 6.

"I think there has been as much interest before, but I can't remember as many people offering advice. You always get everyone putting in their two bob's worth, but this year they've been putting in about 10 bucks worth." - John McDonald, Courier Mail, June 6.

"ABC radio reported yesterday that (chairman of selectors, Des) Morris had said the selectors would consider shifting Lockyer from five-eighth, the position which the Broncos skipper and his club coach Wayne Bennett insist is now his best. - Paul Malone, Courier Mail, May 31.

"I don't want to give anyone the impression that I'm saying he should play fullback. No decision has been made. What I'm saying is he's playing five-eighth at the moment and it will have to be worked out from there." - Morris, Courier Mail, May 31.

"He's (Lockyer) come to terms with it a long time ago but that didn't stop him having to fight to convince people in the right places that he wasn't the fullback for Queensland. Because the people in the right places nearly had themselves convinced he should be fullback." Bennett, Courier Mail, June 16.

"Greg Dowling claims he has been sacked from the Maroons' Origin II preparation because he called for Darren Lockyer to be stripped of the captaincy." - Steve Mascord, Courier Mail, June 12.

"I'm sick of people giving us advice. I'm just stirred up by the fact no one gives us a chance. They say we should have picked a player in this position. That's Sydney media of course, I'm not blaming youse (Brisbane) guys." - Mal Meninga, Courier Mail, June 8.

Yep, Sydney media.