Phil Gould has added some spice to the State of Origin build up by labelling Queenslanders “pumpkin heads”.

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The former Blues Origin coach couldn’t resist when asked by Brad Fittler on Nine’s post-match coverage of the Eels clash with Manly whether he was liked north of the border.

“They love me in Queensland,” Gould replied cheekily

“They hold a grudge. They’re funny people, Queenslanders, funny people.

“For six weeks a year off goes their head and on goes a pumpkin. Fair dinkum.”

Gould, regarded as one of the greatest coaches in Blues history having won six series, provided some much-needed colour ahead of the game one.

Self-imposed media bans from polarising Blues duo Latrell Mitchell and Spencer Leniu has contributed to low-key build up to the series opener on Wednesday in Brisbane.

HAAS BOOST DESPITE TRAINING ABSENCE

The NSW Blues are “confident” Payne Haas will play in next Wednesday’s State of Origin series opener despite the prop forward failing to train for a third straight session on Saturday.

Haas entered Blues camp under an injury cloud having picked up a quad strain in the loss to the Dragons, but scans revealed it was only a “minor” issue.

The Blues said they would monitor Haas’ load during training with an eye towards playing and maintain that will be the case, even after the Broncos forward was unable to train on Saturday.

In fact, NSW doctor Nathan Gibbs said there was a positive to come out of the day’s session with Haas able to stretch out.

“Payne strained his ‘VL’ quad, or lateral quad, not the main central quad, and they traditionally heal much quicker,” Gibbs said, per The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Today he was able to run about 2.5km at about 70 per cent, which puts him right on track to train on Monday, then play Wednesday.

“It was really important he ran today – if he couldn’t run today, we were going to struggle to have play. We’re confident.”

Blues second rower Angus Crichton said it would be “huge” to have Haas fit for Wednesday night’s game.

“He’s probably the best forward in the game I think,” Crichton said.

“He builds such a platform and makes it easier for the other guys to run off the back of him. I’m excited to play alongside him.”

The Blues have cover for Haas should there be any unexpected setbacks, with Stefano Utoikamanu and Haumole Olakau’atu both named on the extended bench while Spencer Leniu and Max King are options to move from the interchange into the starting line-up.

MAROONS UPDATE ON PONGA AS HUNT REPLACEMENT’S ROLE REVEALED

New Maroons utility Tom Dearden has provided an update on the fitness of Kalyn Ponga and revealed the role Billy Slater wants him to play.

The Daily Telegraph reported Ponga is set to overcome a quadriceps injury to take his place on Wednesday night, despite missing multiple Queensland training sessions in the build-up to Origin I.

Ponga missed Queensland’s first training run on the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday and was wearing sand shoes as he watched the Maroons go about their business.

In recent days, Ponga has gradually increased intensity, doing light running away on his own away from the Queensland squad and on Saturday afternoon he ran freely.

Dearden has no doubt Ponga will play and believes a shortened preparation won’t hurt the fullback or the team.

“He will be right to go,” Dearden told The Daily Telegraph.

“He missed the first couple of training sessions, but he will be ready to go next Wednesday night.

“It’s just the type of player he is, he won’t miss a beat.

“Kalyn has been in this team a few times so he knows what to do when he is out there.”

Dearden also revealed the role Slater wants him to play after filling in for injured hooker Ben Hunt, while Harry Grant has only just returned from injury.

“Harry has been really good,” Dearden said.

“The one thing is making sure you give good quality service and that’s the most important thing about playing at dummy half.

“I am making sure I nail my service at dummy half.

“Billy (Slater) just said to me I have to be ready to play anywhere and that’s the role of the utility player.”