NSW great has exploded in disbelief in a rant about Queensland claiming underdog status ahead of the State of Origin opener.

“I hate just how they think Origin’s all about them, their own self-importance. It’s embarrassing,” Gallen told Sydney’s 2GB radio on Wednesday.

“To hear them talk about the underdog tag and how they’re underdogs and how NSW are deserving favourites, it’s honestly sickening. It’s disgusting.

“Like, I don’t understand why they need it so much.

“They’ve won more Origin games than us. They’ve won more series than us … for them to continually carry on about it, it’s sickening.”

Gallen, who played 24 games for NSW winning just nine, hit out at the argument Queensland cared more about Origin because of their eight-year winning streak from 2006 to 2013.

“Because of what happened in that eight-year period with us, they’re able to say that,” he said.

“But when you’ve got probably six or seven future Immortals in the side, you’re probably going to win most games.

“But I hate them being able to say it. You know, whenever we win, we’re just happy to win and walk away and wait till next year. We don’t carry on and rub it into Queensland’s face.

“So I’m hoping if we win this year, I’m going to be letting every single Queenslander know about it for 12 months.

“Yes, every single one of them, because the crap they carry on with is ridiculous.”

Queensland has won more State of Origin series, with 25 titles compared to NSW’s 17. Two of the series were drawn.

The Maroons won the most recent 2025 series 2-1, while the Blues took it out 2-1 the previous year.

Gallen said he was annoyed that people kept believing the Maroons’ claim on underdog status.

“They are actually the underdogs. We are actually the favourites.”

For what it’s worth, the Blues are $1.68 favourites with the bookies and Queensland are $2.21 outsiders for Game 1.

Both teams enter the series missing key players – the Maroons are without Reece Walsh and Tom Dearden, while the Blues are missing Mitchell Moses, Payne Haas and Latrell Mitchell through injury.

Originally published as NSW great explodes over ‘embarrassing’ Queensland Origin attitude