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Queensland coach Mal Meninga claims NSW will start favourites against his team in next year's State of Origin series despite the unprecedented domination of his Maroons outfit.

Despite shooting for a fifth consecutive series victory - and with NSW mentor Craig Bellamy yet to declare his Origin intentions - Meninga declared the Blues had the edge next year.

''It's difficult for us because we've got two games in Sydney,'' he said. ''That's a difficult task for us.

''The odds are stacked in favour of NSW next year because of that.

''We've won four [series] in a row, and NSW will be very committed next year. They won game three this year, they've got two at home and are starting to formulate a very impressive footy side.

''We've dominated the last four years, and the more you dominate, the closer you are to failure. We need to make sure we're prepared for anything that can occur on the footy field.''

One factor the Maroons were not prepared for was the physicality of the NSW forward pack in game three. They were also stunned by the actions of NSW prop Justin Poore, who began to lift an unconscious Steve Price off the turf before dropping him. Meninga intimated the Maroons would be out for revenge following the wild scenes which ended the series in Brisbane.

''I don't think they'll forgive and forget,'' Meninga said of his players. ''I believe that NSW went in with a very aggressive attitude to try to put us off our game, and it was successful. We need to be prepared for that.

''From my perspective, if I was playing, I'd have some simmering thoughts about it all. It is warfare on a footy field, in Origin footy. There's a lot at stake, reputations and state against state, things like that.''

While Bellamy is yet to reveal whether he will continue as NSW coach, intrigue also surrounds the make-up of the Queensland coaching staff.

Meninga's assistant coach, North Queensland mentor Neil Henry, and the Cowboys' renowned trainer Billy Johnstone are contemplating stepping down to concentrate on club commitments.

''We don't want to change the dynamics of the staff if we can help it,'' Meninga said.

''We've formed a pretty good mix and it's proven successful.''
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