An apology has already been offered by trash talking NSW State of Origin prop James Tamou but besieged Queensland pivot Johnathan Thurston is poised to receive another unforgiving Blues test on Wednesday night.
NSW appeared to up the ante on their series-long niggling of Thurston ahead of Origin III when his Cowboys teammate Tamou rated Blues No.1 Jarryd Hayne "better" than the Maroons' five-eighth.
Tamou's betrayal loomed as another body blow to a vulnerable Thurston as he tried to regain his mojo on the eve of his record 30th straight Origin game.
But Queensland captain Cameron Smith said Tamou had already apologised for his comment and expected Thurston to fire in a match they must win to avoid their first whitewash in 14 years.
"I don't think JT needs any motivation from comments made in the paper, given that James actually texted him this morning and apologised for the comments that he had made," Smith said.
"So that was a bit of a funny one.
"But he's a guy who has never lived off comments from other players or the media to try and make him play better.
"He is a competitor.
"He will want to beat you on Playstation let alone on a footy field.
"I am sure you will see the best of him on Wednesday night."
But Smith admitted he did not know what to expect from a Blues outfit that had harassed Thurston all series.
The two-time Dally M Medal winner has been a shadow of himself after being targeted in both games, with tensions threatening to reach boiling point in Origin II in Sydney.
Thurston appeared to finally crack, slapping Beau Scott across the face and almost coming to blows with Blues pivot Josh Reynolds.
The spiteful match has fanned fears Game III might repeat ugly scenes similar to 2009's "dead rubber" series finale marred by Maroons prop Steve Price being punched unconscious by Brett White then manhandled by Justin Poore.
"I am not too sure what to expect," Smith said.
"At the end of the day, there are two referees to officiate the game - if there's niggle, then stop it."
Queensland coach Mal Meninga was more focused on saluting Thurston's 30-game milestone after dismissing fears over the pivot's corked thigh suffered on Sunday.
"That's external pressure from you guys, to be honest," he said of Thurston being targeted.
"We have no problems with John and he will go out and show that tomorrow night.
"To play 30 straight in this arena, it doesn't get much better than that."
Still, Meninga could not avoid a subtle crack at NSW when asked if he would like to see Thurston receive more room to move in Game III.
"You better ask NSW," he smiled.
Smith was uncertain about what to expect from NSW but knew what Queensland had to do after having their eight-year dynasty snapped.
"We have to come out here and win, otherwise it is a 3-0 deficit which is the last thing you want to experience," he said.
"The series has been won by NSW and we accept that but we have to get on with things, look forward to 2015."
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