"I'm not allowed to bet."
That is the message from Queensland coach Billy Slater surrounding his side's new-found favouritism ahead of Wednesday night's blockbuster State of Origin clash with NSW.
After taking a 1-0 lead in Adelaide, the Maroons will now look to wrap up the series in front of a raucous Suncorp Stadium and will go into the match as the overwhelming favourite with the bookies.
Due to the absence of Nathan Cleary, Api Koroisau and Latrell Mitchell, there is a belief among most rugby league fans that NSW will struggle to topple the powerful Maroons outfit.
It's been a long time since Queensland have gone into an Origin clash with the favourites tag, but it certainly isn't having an impact on Slater's mindset.
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Billy Slater shrugs off Maroons favouritism
Speaking to the media on Tuesday morning - just 36 hours away from kickoff in Brisbane - Slater shrugged off the perceived transition from his side being perennial underdogs to being expected to win.
"Honestly, I know there is a bit of a myth around that… I honestly could not care less who is favourites," he said.
"NSW have got injuries, they’ve got new players in their team – so do we.
"History is history and it will be what it will be. That’s not gonna make us play any better or any worse, what has happened before.
“I’m not thinking about confidence and I’m not thinking about wasting opportunities. We’re pushing all our energy into giving ourself the best chance to play our best footy – that’s all we can control.
“The most important part of our week comes at 8.05 tomorrow night. That’s where everything is channelled towards and as good as preparations can be, that’s the most important part of the week.
"Everything has happened well so far, but it means nothing if we don’t turn up tomorrow night and play our best football."
The 22-year-old isn't the only fresh face in the Queensland lineup, with young forwards Moeaki Fotuaika and Jeremiah Nanai both returning to the Origin arena.
And after multiple injuries occurred mid-game during the series opener, Slater is preparing for all possible scenarios.
“Given our last four games, we need those contingencies and those back-up plans," he said.
"We lost two wingers in Game I, we lost two back-rowers in Game I – we had Ben Hunt and Dave Fifita playing in the centres for a period of time. I’ve come to learn that you need a back-up plan and you need to think of everything.
“I’d like to think that we’ve got improvement in us for sure. I’d like to think this team is only just getting started – they have created a great foundation to their football and I’ve seen growth in the connection, growth in the combinations.
"That’s not just going to happen for us, you’ve got to make it happen."
Suncorp Stadium won't make a difference for Queensland
While the injuries for the Blues and their Game I performance are a major factor in the betting odds, the hostile environment at the old Lang Park is also expected to play into Queensland's favour.
NSW have never travelled to Brisbane at 1-0 down and gone on to win the series - but according to Slater, it won't make any difference once the referee's whistle blows.
“They make a difference to the atmosphere – it’s incredible," he said.
"I was fortunate enough to play here as a Queenslander and feel that emotion and the atmosphere of the crowd… last year was very special in Game III.
"[But] the atmosphere can’t make our tackles, the atmosphere can’t kick chase for us, the atmosphere can’t do all those little things that help you play well.
"That’s important for us to acknowledge that and not expect that to happen for us. Our end of the bargain is we need to bring our game, we need to bring our footy and we need to play well.
“Queensland will make it what Queensland make it – that’s their end of the bargain."
No concerns over Ben Hunt despite public contract saga
If there was ever a bad time to be going through a messy contract dispute, it's right now for Ben Hunt.
But despite all the outside noise surrounding the St George Illawarra captain, Slater hasn't noticed any difference in the experienced campaigner.
“I haven’t spoken to Ben about that... if there’s been a distraction, he hasn’t shown it," Slater said.
"He’s a very experienced player, he’s prepared really well for that and that’s where his mind is at."