League: First State of Origin, then neck surgery

Matt Scott of the Maroons celebrates after scoring a try during game two of the State of Origin. Photo / Getty

Everyone loves a villain in State of Origin, Queensland's Matt Scott reckons.

But the hulking Maroons prop may be willing to make an exception for Blues hopeful Michael Ennis.

The prospect of being dropped by Queensland if they lose a second straight Origin series on July 8 in Brisbane doesn't faze Scott.

Even the thought of undergoing end of season neck surgery that has proven career-threatening for others can't unnerve the Queensland battering ram.

However, Scott couldn't help himself when most recently exposed to Ennis' infamous niggling act.

And it seems he is not relishing a repeat performance in next week's Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Ennis is on standby for NSW hooker Robbie Farah (hand).

North Queensland forward Scott admitted he couldn't resist lashing out at Cronulla rake Ennis at the end of yet another sledgefest, culminating in the Cowboys' record 11-game NRL winning streak being snapped last round.

"I bought into it with 10 seconds to go and the game was over," Scott said.

"I thought I'd give him a little push - there's nothing personal in that.

"He's obviously made a career out of niggling and trying to stir blokes up."

Scott admitted someone had to be the bad guy on the Origin stage but preferred not to see Ennis' trash talk grab the limelight in their must-win game three.

"I suppose everyone loves a villain don't they?" Scott said.

"Queensland loves to hate (NSW skipper) Paul Gallen and I'm sure NSW love to hate a lot of our guys after (the Maroons won) eight years (straight).

"It can be good for the game but I don't particularly like that sort of stuff.

"He (Ennis) knows what he does and everyone else knows what he does.

"If he does play, anything that happens in an Origin game ... you can't really react to that."

For now the only thing bothering Scott is Queensland not being in possession of the Origin trophy - a fact they can rectify with a game three victory.

The 29-year-old veteran of 18 Origins said he would cop losing his spot in the team but admitted dropping another series to NSW was his worst fear.

"It's not pressure of losing our spot as such - it's just about winning for Queensland," he said of game three pressure.

"If I'm not doing the job and my time has come, then ... so be it and I'll accept that.

"(But) we don't want to lose another series.

"I hate the fact that we don't have the shield at the moment.

"The pressure for me is about getting it back."

An unfazed Scott said it was likely he would require end-of-season neck surgery after the injury ensured he was a late arrival at Queensland's Gold Coast game three camp.

-AAP