Josh Dugan has taken aim at critics of his and Blake Ferguson’s pre-State of Origin III pub visit, which raised questions over the NSW team’s culture.

The star Blues centre has repeatedly played down the session at the Lennox Point Hotel five days before Queensland’s series-clinching game-three win in Brisbane last week, describing it as a low-key few beers.

Some past and present Blues identities have expressed disappointment since details of the pub visit emerged this week, while others in rugby league have argued it had nothing to do with the loss.

Dugan believes the facts around the incident have been clouded, suggesting too much of the analysis around the Blues’ 11th series loss in 12 years has focused on him and Ferguson.

“It is easy to point the finger from the outside without all the facts,” Dugan posted to Instagram.

“No matter who the comments harm, true/false, they are said without a blink of an eye. Some journalists think they are untouchable while others actually have decency.

“We are human too and make mistakes, no one is perfect.

“I’ve put my hand up for an error in judgement but at the end of the day did not break any rules or misbehave, simply we as a squad did not perform.”

Dugan also denied claims he devalued the NSW jersey or the significance of the Origin series decider.

“I respect my peers, coaching staff and wear my heart on my sleeve anytime I run onto that field regardless of what jersey I have on anyone close to me knows that,” he said.

Former NSW coaches Ricky Stuart and Craig Bellamy have been among the critics.

Canberra’s Stuart said Dugan and Ferguson should have been banned from Origin selection four years ago after they turned up to Blues camp drunk.

But Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett said the criticism was the result of media “hysterics”.