League: Queensland praise Inglis after win

Queensland centre Greg Inglis overcame a personal tragedy and racial slurs to play a starring role in last night’s win over NSW. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston lauded their young forwards as unsung heroes for again laying a platform for Queensland to stretch it's amazing State of Origin sequence to five straight series wins.

And they praised powerhouse centre Greg Inglis for overcoming some hurtful racial slurs in the build up to spearhead Queensland to its 34-6 win, deciding its first series at Suncorp Stadium since 1991 when Wally Lewis played the last of his 31 Origins.

Mal Meninga's Maroons have now earned a place alongside Queensland's great side of the late 1980s and early `90s who won eight of nine Origins at one stage with the likes of Lewis, Allan Langer, Gene Miles and Meninga in their team.

While they shunned comparison and claims they now rank as Queensland's best ever Origin side, they agreed Inglis' effort to overcome personal tragedy and racist slurs had help inspire the team.

Inglis broke camp last week to attend the funeral of a cousin from his home town of Kempsey who died in of a heart attack aged 30 last week.

He also battled to come to grips with being racially sledged by former NSW great Andrew Johns.

"We consoled Greg on it and obviously it hurt him a lot," said Thurston who could not praise his forwards enough for again laying the platform for victory.

"He had a bit of tragedy in his life to cope with and it was a credit to him and his family how well he prepared in the circumstances.

"The way he held himself and carried himself through the week and on the field tonight goes to show what character he has and what a great bloke he is."

Smith said as well as Queensland prepared, they could never have pictured the final scoreline.

"The boys played so clinical," said Smith who rated the victory up with the best of his Origin career.

"I've been a part of some special matches, particularly at this ground, but give the circumstances and winning five series in a row, and the way we did it, it's one of the better matches."

Smith said he didn't believe NSW forward Luke O'Donnell should have been sent off for a spear tackle in the 28th minute which started an all-in brawl.

"I don't think so," he said even though Queensland coach Mal Meninga urged action to be taken because it was a "bad look for the game".

"Origin is a physical and highly intense game.

"I was waiting for a penalty to come from that tackle and it didn't happen. I'm thinking that's why the fight started because the officials didn't blow a penalty straight away."

Thurston said his Cowboys teammate appeared to be in trouble which was later confirmed by the State of Origin review committee who were considering a three or four week suspension if found guilty.

"He's built for Origin, isn't he?," said Thurston.

"It looks like he'll have to face the judiciary and from a Cowboys point of view I hope it's not too bad but it doesn't look too good."

Thurston said Queensland pack were superb again and deserve most of the credit for the win.

"Our pack was superb, they don't get the wraps they deserve, Nate (Myles), Ash (Ashley Harrison), Matty Scott, Dave Shillington.

"They're our unsung heroes, they certainly laid a platform for us and they should be getting most of the wraps."

- AAP