NSW coach Laurie Daley says Queensland's decision to highlight perceived illegal tactics at the ruck is a sign of desperation by the Maroons, and lays bare the pressure they are under for Wednesday night's Origin II.

The normally affable Daley was scathing in his dismissal of the Maroons' complaints about Blues markers in game one, claiming his rivals employed similar tactics, and others. And Daley, whose team is one win away from ending Queensland's era of dominance, provided stills to show that the Maroons were guilty of being offside as well as not square at marker.

Blues coach Laurie Daley took offence to a Brisbane newspaper describing his side as 'cheats' Credit:Getty Images

Daley accused the Maroons of attempting to put pressure on the referees before the Suncorp Stadium encounter, while adding that he felt it was likely a move of desperation by the Maroons. He also questioned the decision by Queensland selectors to drop forwards David Shillington and Ashley Harrison.

''They've made changes, which they haven't done in the past,'' Daley said. ''They've always had that 'pick and stick' philosophy. They lose a game, under pressure, all of a sudden they make some changes. Interesting. Very interesting.''