Maroons coach referenced his late predecessor Paul Green in a stunning attack on the former Blues forward in Perth on Tuesday.

The Broncos have suffered a setback with marquee recruit Ben Hunt set to be ruled out of Sunday’s clash against Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium.

Nathan Cleary has quietly become one of New South Wales' longest-serving current State of Origin players and the Blues halfback could be on the brink of a new era in interstate football.