2016 State of Origin

Bird – who missed the entire 2015 Origin series due a lifting tackle in the May Trans Tasman Test – knows better than most the disappointment Graham will be feeling but said he had already thrown some encouragement the way of the Sharks back-rower.

"It's disappointing but at the end of the day you can't do anything about it. You've just got to get rid of it from your thoughts and just focus on enjoying his time while he's in camp and getting back here when he gets his next opportunity," Bird said.

Skipper Paul Gallen, Josh Morris, Michael Jennings, Aaron Woods, James Tamou, Josh Jackson and David Klemmer all faced the might of the Maroons in Game Three and were flogged by a record 52-6 scoreline. 

14 Queenslanders from that game will return to the scene of the crime and for Morris it will prove motivation in what is a must-win game for NSW with Queensland 1-nil up in the series. 

The veteran Bulldogs centre also said the Blues cannot rest on their laurels from their work in training. 

Graham will either have to accept a one-match ban for a grade one careless high shot on Johnathan Thurston or head to the judiciary and fight the charge, after previously being named to make his Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium in place of the injured Boyd Cordner. 

Myles was ruled out of Game Two with a knee injury suffered during Manly's loss to Penrith at Brookvale Oval on Sunday afternoon.

"He had some scans earlier today and those scans showed some damage," Queensland coach Kevin Walters told QRL.com.au. 

"Our doctor was of the belief that Nate won't be fit enough to take the field on Wednesday week, which is very sad news for Nate and the Queensland team. But it opens up an opportunity for Jacob to come in from the New Zealand team. 

James was the one who powered over the line to put his side in front in the 13th minute and it was James again pushing through trying to get to South Sydney half Adam Reynolds in the 85th minute when he was obstructed by Nathan Brown which saw the successful field goal over-turned.

He has been talked about as a future Origin representative since coming into the NRL as an 18-year-old front-rower in 2010 but with the injury to Roosters back-rower Boyd Cordner Bird believes his time has come.

Having played 20 Origins for the Maroons, Walters knows a thing or two about what it means to represent the sunshine state, as well as the impact the team's success has on the greater community. 

In his role as coach, Walters has heard it all from criticism about his ageing squad to the difficulties associated with playing in Sydney, but watched on with pride as his champion team etched another win on their rapidly-growing tally. 

"I'm just so happy for this group of players," a very proud Maroons coach said after the game. 

Good, yes. But once again, not good enough.

They showed plenty of promise, but as they have so often during the past decade, failed to deliver on it.

It was an old-fashioned slog that ended in more NSW misery, with a Johnathan Thurston penalty goal the only difference between the two teams at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.

Too old, too slow, apparently. Out of form and out of luck, they said. But somehow the Queensland juggernaut keeps rolling on, holding on for a 6-4 victory heading into game two in Brisbane.

Blues coach Laurie Daley saw enough in his team's unexpected capitulation in last year's decider to ring in the changes and while some of his picks have raised eyebrows there is no doubt how he will look to play it.

This is a team that will aim to monster its way through the middle with a massive forward pack then put the finishing touches on with a far more attack-minded backline.

Cronk surprised onlookers on Tuesday when he ran out with the Maroons' squad for their only training session at Sydney's Olympic stadium ahead of the State of Origin opener.

While he is not certain Cronk would be fit to play, Walters remains confident the half-back would make the cut - but the final call will be left to the man himself.

"I will let Cooper make the call. He is big enough to work out whether he can get through 80 minutes of Origin," Walters said.

"He's quietly confident he can play. But tomorrow, we have to make a decision," he said.

Meninga was the architect behind the Maroons' past decade of dominance and in his new role as the Kangaroos coach found himself a guest of Blues counterpart Laurie Daley at ANZ Stadium. 

Meninga was quite forthcoming when discussing how crucial his presence was in terms of picking future Kangaroos teams. 

James Tamou, Blake Ferguson, the injured Josh Dugan and Blues skipper Paul Gallen were the only New South Welshman named for Australia in the trans-Tasman Test against New Zealand earlier this month.