'Pretty poor': Queensland's hypocritical 'carry on'
Paul Gallen has taken a major swipe at Queensland ahead of the first State of Origin game, calling out a "really poor" response to the James Tedesco selection saga.
After initially being snubbed by NSW, the 31-year-old earned a late recall after fullback Dylan Edwards was ruled out with a quad injury.
Tedesco has already played 22 games for the Blues and captained the state for the past three years, making him a viable replacement for Edwards in the No.1 jersey.
However, some involved with the Maroons have questioned the decision and whether or not Tedesco should have been allowed to play, after being overlooked for the initial 20-man squad named by coach Michael Maguire.
Speaking on Nine's 100% Footy on Monday night, the former Blues captain defended the decision and claimed Queensland might be looking over their shoulder now, doubling down on a view that he earlier expressed in his column for Wide World of Sports.
James Tedesco in Blues camp.
"I sense a bit of nervousness from the Queenslanders," Gallen said.
"For Daly Cherry-Evans to come out today and say he is nervous, for some of their officials and one of their former greats to have an opinion on it [shows they are].
"When someone from NSW has an opinion on the Queensland team, it's treated as disrespect and they carry on - but it's alright for them to have an opinion?
Watch the 2024 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.
"I thought it was pretty poor - they said he would feel uncomfortable and I don't think he will at all. James Tedesco is a team-first man, he has played 22 games [for NSW].
"You couldn't have a more perfect bloke for this. He is just going to slot straight in, he's a team man and I find it really frustrating how Queenslanders carry on about how we can be disrespectful, yet it's okay for them to comment on us."
Gallen was public enemy number-one during his tenure as NSW skipper, leading the side to a drought-breaking series victory in 2014.
Paul Gallen spars with Maroons players in 2014.
Tedesco featured in all three games against Queensland last year and his recall to the side prompted a cautious response from the opposing captain.
"We will be on high alert for Teddy," Cherry-Evans said.
"I am sure he will come out with a point to prove. We will do a bit of homework on him, but predominantly our week is around preparing for how we want to play.
"He has obviously been a big part of the NSW side for such a long time. I am sure it has been a crazy 48 hours, but he is someone that has done the job well for them."