Former Queensland star Lote Tuqiri has fired the first shot at his state of origin in the lead-up to Saturday's pivotal final-round clash against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
The Waratahs must win to ensure they remain inside the top four and clinch a semi-finals berth, while the Reds will look to end their arch enemies' campaign in bitter disappointment.
Quizzed on the Reds' eagerness to rain on the Waratahs' parade Tuqiri went on the attack.
"They've called themselves the spoilers and it's a bit of a cop-out to call yourselves the spoilers," Tuqiri said.
"Why not try a bit harder at the start of the year?"
Despite his harsh words Tuqiri insists he is still a Queenslander at heart but made it quite clear where his allegiances will lie on Saturday night.
"I'm proud of the fact that I was from up there and everything else and obviously I'm playing for the Tahs now but when State of Origin rolls around I wear the maroon on the sleeve," he said.
"But (this is a) different game and different code and I'll be putting in for the boys this weekend."
Tuqiri says the side remains confident despite failing to record a victory on their two-match tour of South Africa but also understands the importance of momentum.
"I think you want to be playing some good footy leading into the semis and getting a bit of a roll on," Tuqiri said.
"We're not too far away but a really good win would be nice going into the semis with confidence and everything else."
"(That's) not to say our confidence is low but a good win always lifts that up when you're going into a semi-final week."
Having spent the majority of his 73-match career with the Waratahs on the wing, Tuqiri was shifted to fullback in atrocious conditions against the Stormers in Cape Town.
The 28-year-old made a good fist of his new position in his first attempt but is unsure where he will line up against the Reds.
"I'll play where ever they put me … I don't mind playing anywhere in the backline, I'm quite comfortable on the wing but I'll put my hand up wherever the team needs me," he said.