NSW skipper Paul Gallen has set the scene for an explosive Origin II, declaring the Blues are fed up with Queensland's arrogance.

With 90,000 people expected to pack the MCG on Wednesday the match hardly needed a sales pitch but - in what may have been an audition for his post-NRL career in pro boxing - Gallen went out of his way on Tuesday to sell the must-win encounter.

The traditional captains' media call the day before an Origin match is usually a mutual admiration sit-down but Gallen fired several shots at Queensland's big guns, including fullback Billy Slater, accusing them of arrogance and "grubby tactics".

Slater has long earned the ire of Blues fans for perceived dirty play and he furthered that reputation with an elbow to the back of a defenceless Josh Morris in game one.

Slater could find himself on the other end on Wednesday night with NSW certain to test the shoulder that is set to be surgically repaired post-Origin.

Gallen said the fact Slater was booked in for surgery the day after the match was a sign that Queensland think they already have the series in the bag.

"We've got nothing special in store for him, but he is planning on having surgery on Thursday, I think," Gallen said.

"That is a sign of where their side is at the moment. They think they are that much better than us; that they are going to get this win and Billy's going to go off and get surgery and have the rest of the year off.

"Everyone at this level has arrogance. I don't mind that but it's a bit disrespectful to our side.

"They carry on about the Cooper Cronk factor; about him not being there in game two [last year]. The way they are going in this game with Billy probably playing his last game of the season ... they probably think they are better than us and we didn't deserve the win last year in their eyes."

Slater's hit on Morris was one of a number of incidents that left the Blues fuming after game one and Gallen said his side was "naive" in game one to expect they wouldn't employ those tactics this year.

"We've been used to their grubby tactics for years now," Gallen said.

"There were probably some tactics they used in game one that a few of our boys, relatively inexperienced at Origin level, didn't think were coming. I suppose the boys were a bit naive to think some of the so-called angels of the game don't get up to any of it.

"None of the boys will be taking a backwards step this time.

"We won't be playing dirty, but if those tactics sneak into the game, then I'm sure our boys will be up to it as well."