Was Rise for Cameron sign bad taste?

A Maroons fan holds up a sign in support of Cameron Smith. Photo / Getty

Bad taste or good humour.

The former, unfortunately. Queensland were close to perfect in demolishing New South Wales in the State of Origin decider, but a banner at Suncorp Stadium left a bad taste in the mouth.

One Queensland supporter held up a sign saying "Rise for Cameron", a reference to the public spat involving quadriplegic Alex McKinnon and Queensland captain Cameron Smith.

McKinnon, the young Newcastle player who was paralysed by a tackle in an NRL game, has been supported by a cleverly named "Rise for Alex" campaign. He has recently criticised Smith - who was playing for Melbourne in the game in which he was injured - for arguing with the referee that McKinnon had ducked his head causing the accident.

In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, McKinnon said it was "f.....g ridiculous" that Smith was arguing with the referee about being penalised as the injured player was assisted and carried off the field.

The Queensland Origin camp were so protective of their skipper that media were told the Maroons would abandon their traditional pre-match team walk on Wednesday morning if Smith was approached for comment on McKinnon.

Ex-Test half Matthew Johns slammed the Nine Network for not giving Smith a right of reply on 60 Minutes.

Johns also claimed there was unplayed on-field audio from a sympathetic Smith after McKinnon's fateful tackle that was not used by 60 Minutes.

"To not give him a right of reply on something that was so sensitive, is so wrong, it was disgraceful," Johns told Triple M radio. Johns said the unplayed audio "showed Cameron in a much more sympathetic light" and by not using it "it became Cameron Smith vs Alex McKinnon - whose side are you on?"

- With AAP