Manly coach Trent Barrett has blasted the recent trash talk of Daly Cherry-Evans, describing it as false rumours made up by journalists.
Speculation is rife Cherry-Evans may be shunned for the deciding State of Origin clash with NSW because he doesn't get along with senior Maroons players.
Barrett was quick to hose down that talk, saying: "We don't listen to it mate because it's shit. It doesn't concern me, it doesn't concern Cherry."
When Cherry-Evans was asked how he thought the rumours started in the first place, Barrett chipped in.
"It's come about from you, from the journo. That's where it came about. No one else," Barrett said on Friday.
Cherry-Evans did his best to play down the rumours.
"I can't make much of it because I don't know anything about it," he said.
"I'm a bit naive to that being a situation, to be fair. If it is a situation then I'm unaware of it."
Maroons coach Kevin Walters is yet to decide how he will replace injured halfback Johnathan Thurston for Origin III.
Walters has floated using Michael Morgan, Cameron Munster, Corey Norman or Moses Mbye to fill the void.
But Cherry-Evans can boost his own case with a star showing in Saturday's clash with the NZ Warriors in Perth.
Cherry-Evans put in a dazzling display in last week's 35-18 win over premiers Cronulla.
Former Queensland coach Mal Meninga has urged Walters to pick Cherry-Evans for Origin III.
Cherry-Evans said he wouldn't put any extra pressure on himself going into this weekend's clash at nib Stadium.
"Maybe externally there might be people wanting a big game," Cherry-Evans said.
"But I'll be playing my role within the side as I have done for the previous 16 weeks.
"There certainly won't be any internal pressure from my teammates and myself. It's business as usual.
"I'm not going to hang my season on that (Origin selection) but I'm certainly trying to put my hand up to get a game there."
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