Gallan adamant days of Origin biff are over

NSW skipper Paul Gallen has doused expectations the Blues will move to bring back the biff in retaliation for Queensland’s perceived niggling tactics in next week’s State of Origin II.

Once a traditional part of any Origin fixture, the biff was outlawed in 2013 by NRL boss Dave Smith, when he issued his “one punch and you are off” edict after Gallen’s infamous stoush with Nate Myles in Origin I in 2013.

The Blues say they are formulating a plan to deal with what they see as bullying tactics by the Queenslanders but Gallen said that doesn’t mean that will lead to brawling.

“No I don’t think so,” he said. “Those days are gone. There is no point in doing that any more.

“I’m not buying into any of the media hype I’m just looking forward to going out there and playing football.

“I didn’t play [in game I] so I don’t know what it was like. I’m just preparing to play the game and I will worry about whatever is going on at the time out there.”

Gallen believes teamwork was sometimes missing in the Blues’ Origin I loss last month, highlighted by their botched field goal efforts late in the game, and they need to play smarter at the MCG.

“The boys’ efforts were really, really good but sometimes rather than just taking it up, running into three or four guys, we’ve got to work together more,” he said.

Meanwhile, Queensland fullback Billy Slater admits he may have to undergo shoulder surgery after next week’s game, ruling him out of the rest of the NRL season.

Slater said he was in no doubt for Origin II despite not being sighted since Queensland’s 11-10 game 1 win in Sydney last month due to the left shoulder complaint.

“I can’t rule anything out. My focus is the next week, that’s all — what happens after that, we’ll see,” said Slater who underwent off-season surgery on his other shoulder last year.

Slater — 32 next week — expects to be targeted.

“Everyone is under pressure in their positions — you can’t hide in Origin,” said Slater, who is off contract at NRL club Melbourne this year.

“That’s all policed. I am not too worried about that.

“When I am out there I am fair game.” Slater said he ex- pected to take part in all field training sessions in the lead-up to Origin II despite reports Maroons staff were monitoring him because the shoulder pain was so great it was disrupting his sleep.

Slater had a target on his head already after NSW took offence to what it believed were grubby tactics by the veteran No.1 in game 1.

The Blues are believed to be seeking retribution for an Origin I incident where Slater appeared to slam his forearm into unsuspecting NSW centre Josh Morris’s back late in a tackle.

But Slater said he wasn’t taking much notice of any talk coming out of the Blues camp.

Those days are gone. There is no point in doing that any more

PAUL GALLEN