Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett has backed Phil Gould’s criticism of NSW’s State of Origin culture, saying the Blues are in similar situation to the Maroons in 2000.

That year Queensland were thrashed 56-16 in game three as NSW completed a series clean sweep, a defeat Bennett says forced the Maroons to rethink their plans and develop a culture which has led to their decade of dominance in Origin.

“NSW are great at self-destructing and they’re at that point again now,” Bennett said on Friday, adding the Blues need to develop their own future plan and make sure they stick to it.