Sport

Pressure on NSW in State of Origin opener

06:28 am on 26 May 2010

The Queensland rugby league coach says all the pressure is on New South Wales to end the northern state's dominance in the 2010 State of Origin opener in Sydney tonight.

Queensland has already created history with last year's unprecedented fourth straight series win.

New South Wales is carrying the favourites tag into the game thanks to the home advantage, but Queensland coach Mal Meninga is adament the pressure is on the home side to prove they have what it takes.

Queensland is without it's star hooker Cameron Smith, and forwards Steve Price and Ben Hannant, but Meninga says the side's full of confidence, despite losing game three last year.

He's expecting a physical battle on the field, with the game likely to come down to who wants the win the most.