BY SCOTT DILLON

The Queenslanders have finally revealed how they snuck New South Welshman Greg Inglis across the border and into a Maroon jersey where the Macksville-native would become of one of the all-time great QLD players.

Former Melbourne Storm boss John Ribot told The Courier-Mail’s Robert Craddock on Tuesday that the trick was to play dumb about Inglis’ abilities after being spotted playing in the bush by Storm recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan.

Inglis then played for Norths Devils as a 17-year-old in Brisbane – the Storm’s feeder club.

The idea was hatched between Ribot and QRL CEO Ross Livermore to act like Inglis was a “nobody” at an ARL board meeting.

“Ross said ‘we are doing you a favour – the bloke is not much chop’,’’ Ribot began.

They said “all right he’s qualified.’’

“He became one of our greatest ever. The thing NSW still say it is one of the great rorts of State of Origin and that makes Queenslanders feel even better. It warms my heart. I think it helped Ross that he was an administrator making the point.

“If Peter O’Sullivan who was a talent scout was in the room making the point I don’t think it would have worked because they would have known we would not sign a lemon. Ross has said he is a kid we would like to give him an opportunity.

“They lost a superstar. It was all within the rules. I still like telling that story.’’

A tiny minority of rugby league fans don’t like State of Origin? Well blue-hoo to you!

Meanwhile, Allan Langer has been revealed as the latest Queensland legend to be awarded a statue outside Suncorp Stadium.

Langer’s statue joins others immortalised in bronze: Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga, Arthur Beetson and Darren Lockyer.