League: Maroons set sights on remarkable 10 in a row

Billy Slater and Cameron Smith celebrate another Origin series victory. Photo / Getty

Eight is not enough as Queensland eye a mind-boggling 10 straight State of Origin series triumphs after breaking NSW hearts yet again on Wednesday night.

"It would be nice to do that," admitted victorious captain Cameron Smith after the Maroons wrapped up yet another series with a 12-10 defeat of the Blues in enemy territory in Sydney.

"We've got a question mark over a couple of our old boys, whether they're going to go round again next year.

"So it's important that these boys need to enjoy what we've achieved this year and not worry about 12 months' time and 24 months' time and what's going to happen."

One of those old boys is 31-year-old winger Brent Tate, who has no immediate plans on hanging up his Origin boots after delivering a man-of-the-match display at ANZ Stadium.

"I feel as though there's no real rush to make a decision," Tate said.

"I know it's coming to an end at some stage but my gut feeling is while they're willing to give me a jersey, I'm not going to throw it back at them."

Maroons coach Mal Meninga hoped the born-again Tate would feature in an Australian test team dominated by Queenslanders at this year's World Cup in Britain.

"He's been there, done that before - played for Australia and he's had a tremendous series with us and he's playing really good footy with the Cowboys as well," Meninga said.

"He won't look out of place in a green and gold jersey.

"Obviously being the coach of the Queensland side and we've won this series, I'm hoping that the majority of the players will play for Australia at the back end of the year."

For now, though, Tate was intent on celebrating the Maroons' latest remarkable feat.

"Winning eight in a row is fantastic," he said. "It's going to take a little while to sink in - eight in a row is a pretty unbelievable achievement.

"It wasn't about being the best players out there. It was about sticking in for each other.

"The mateship and camaraderie we've got in this group, I know that Origin spirit is very much alive in it and we proved that again tonight."

Meninga lauded his Maroons for showing "true grit" as they repelled wave after wave of attacks from the Blues.

"We've got a very talented footy side with great players and some of the best players that ever played the game, but tonight was all about character and effort to keep on hanging in there," he said.

"Their bums were dragging on the ground there a lot of times through that game but they kept coming up with the right effort and making the right decisions.

"That's what makes great footy sides."

Meninga also said he was in no hurry to move on. "I'm happy to continue being involved with this footy side if they want me," he said.

- AAP