Both coaches talked up the other team's chances as the Maroons and Blues hit the paddock for their captains' runs, a day ahead of Game I of State of Origin at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Maroons trained at Suncorp for the series opener and the Blues opted to dodge The Cauldron for one more day, and stick closer to NSW at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast.
Maroons coach Kevvie Walters told the assembled media that with Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott out through injury, the Blues deserved to be favourites.
But at his press conference, Blues coach Laurie Daley wasn't buying it. He said that, despite the missing stars, Queensland would be as disciplined and tough to beat as usual.