QUEENSLAND Origin legends Corey Parker and Chris “Choppy” Close have slammed Paul Gallen over comments the former NSW skipper made about the Blues following their team announcement.

On Monday night, NSW coach Brad Fittler unveiled a new-look team featuring a record 11 debutants with the likes of Tom Trbojevic, Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell and James Roberts named in the backline.

While he was confident of a Blues series win, Gallen said he was “nervous” about the inexperienced backs and reckoned Blake Ferguson and Josh Dugan should’ve been in the team.

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“The backline for NSW sure has speed and we want to get the ball to them early, but do you think Greg Inglis and Will Chambers are going to let them run around them and score?” Gallen told the Nine Network’s 100% Footy.

“I would have had Ferguson and Dugan in the side as well. They are big bodies, they help the forwards get out of their own end, they are another kick option and they are good defensively as well.”

Parker believed Gallen should’ve been backing the side named, rather than having a “whinge” about it.

“I don’t get it,” Parker told Queenslanders Only.

“Paul Gallen has come out this week and he’s had a whinge that Ferguson and Dugan should be in the team.

“Just get behind your team that’s there and really endorse what’s going on.

“I think it’s a great side.”

Close, who played nine Origins for Queensland throughout the 1980s, took aim at not only Gallen, but the Blues’ culture as well.

“It’s really disappointing to hear an ex-NSW captain come out and bag his team,” Close said.

“That would never happen in Queensland, it’s not just part of our fabric, it’s not what we do.

“They don’t get it, and as long as they continue to do that, we’re a chance.

“They are a very good side. There’s a couple of superstars in that team just waiting to emerge one of them is Latrell Mitchell and the other is Josh Addo-Carr.

“Either one of those player could destroy our team from anywhere on the field at any given time and that’s what makes Origin so great.”

Former Maroons centre Justin Hodges warned just how dangerous the Blues’ backline was.

“I think that’s the best side they’ve picked in a long time,” Hodges said.

“It’s very dangerous. Their outside backs, all quality, fast and in form.

“Freddy’s a smart coach, he knows what he’s doing.”