League: Blues have no answers - Meninga

Queensland coach Mal Meninga wasn’t surprised the Blues resorted to roughhouse tactics in State of Origin II last night. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - A proud Mal Meninga declared NSW had no answers to the might of his Maroons after NSW's roughhouse tactics backfired spectacularly at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

Queensland coach Meninga was incensed with the ugly tactics of Blues forwards Luke O'Donnell and Paul Gallen after NSW failed to win the war on two fronts in slipping to a fifth straight State of Origin series loss.

Labelled the "Bruise Brothers", Gallen was cited for a high tackle on Nate Myles and O'Donnell is facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines for a spear tackle on Darius Boyd which sparked a massive all-in brawl.

Both incidents occurred in the first half when NSW trailed 10-0 but it was the more composed Queensland who responded better.

With man-of-the-match Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston leading the way, the Maroons cut loose to score six tries to one in the 34-6 triumph.

O'Donnell escaped punishment for head butting Sam Thaiday in the ugly 28th-minute brawl but faces a suspension of three weeks if he pleads guilty to the dangerous throw on winger Darius Boyd.

The Cowboys forward will cop a four-week ban if he fights the charge and fails.

Gallen is free to play for Cronulla this weekend after taking the early guilty plea for his grade one high tackle on Nate Myles.

Meninga, who rated his side the best Queensland outfit in Origin history, said he wasn't surprised by the Blues borderline tactics.

"I hope the league deals with that," Meninga said.

"It wasn't very attractive for our game.

"What I worried about was our team getting through it.

"We expected that and handled it really well.

"They (NSW) had to do something, they had to so some sort of tactics to upset our rhythm and our key players in particular."

Lockyer said the Maroons prepared for such a testing assignment of their composure and toughness and their focus was highlighted by an immediate reply with a 31st minute try to Boyd for a 16-0 lead.

While besieged NSW coach Craig Bellamy praised an improved effort from the 28-24 loss in Sydney and five-eighth Trent Barrett predicted the tide would soon turn, Meninga said it proved the Blues had no answers.

He loudly laughed off Barrett's optimism.

"We're closer to a loss but please," he said with a wry chuckle. "It's been five years in a row now and the end has to come sometime.

"We're going to enjoy this now.

"It was a fantastic team effort right from the kick off and I couldn't be more proud of the players."

A veteran of 32 Origin games from the concept's inception in 1980, Meninga said the 2010 team was the best he'd been involved with.

"I think it's been a tough week for rugby league in general and a lot of things have happened and tomorrow should be about what a great team this is.

"Being in the box tonight it was one of those highlights you have when the team just does what you ask of them really well."

- AAP