Queensland legend and current Maroons assistant coach Cameron Smith has ominously declared the side’s preparation has been as good as Game I where QLD shocked the Blues 26-18 at the Adelaide Oval.

The Maroons are now favourites for the match at Suncorp Stadium which NSW need to win to keep the series alive.

Heading to Sydney for a dead rubber would cruel Blues coach Brad Fittler’s chances of his keeping his job.

“…This has been a very smooth build-up to this game for us in particular. There’s been no illnesses, there’s been no injuries… touch wood,” Smith told SEN Queensland on Tuesday morning.

“We’ve still got another session today and obviously we’ve got to get to tomorrow’s game but the build-up has been fantastic.

“I made a similar comment in the lead-up to Game I.

“We cannot fault the players with their preparation. The training sessions have been great, they’ve built on what they started in Game I prep and they’ve looked sharp. They look really keen for this one. I think they’re really looking forward to getting out there in front of their home fans tomorrow night.”

Ben Hunt is expected to start in the dummy half role again for the Maroons despite ongoing dramas at St George Illawarra with speculation Hunt may have already played his last game for the club despite being under contract for 2024.