NSW coach Craig Bellamy has branded Gorden Tallis a 'troublemaker' and accused him of hypocrisy after the Maroons legend slammed the Blues' use of a wrestling coach in the lead-up to Origin I at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.
The outspoken Tallis, who vacillates between his role as a NRL director and TV commentator, called for Bellamy to be removed from the game's marquee match after the NSW boss employed Storm wrestling coach John Donahue to work with the Blues.
A massive critic of wrestling tactics in rugby league, Tallis thundered: "I think it's a disgraceful thing. I love Craig Bellamy as a bloke but he should not be allowed to be in our showpiece game."
"It's a disgrace."
Bellamy hit back at the former Queensland captain on Tuesday morning, suggesting he take a closer look at the Maroons' coaching staff.
"I think you will find the Queenslanders have brought a wrestling coach in for a couple of sessions," he said.
"Perhaps Gorden needs to watch what's happening in his backyard before he sticks his nose into ours."
"He is a troublemaker."
Asked if Tallis should be making provocative statements given he is a NRL director, Bellamy replied: "It hasn't stopped him before so I wouldn't imagine come State of Origin time it's going to stop him."
"If he's going on about wrestling coaches, he wants to have a look at his own team."
Bellamy declared NSW's preparation on track a day out from the game, revealing those players not previously familiar with his coaching methods had adapted well.
"A couple of them have been surprised at the intensity in all of our sessions," he said.
"But most of them have enjoyed it. They realise it's Origin, not club footy."
"We've been pretty planned in what we've done. Everything has gone really well."
"I'm sure we will be ready to go tomorrow night."