NSW winger Jarryd Hayne says the Blues can’t afford to switch off late in the game if they are to have any chance of breaking Queensland’s State of Origin dominance.

NSW have had some costly late lapses in the past as the relentless Queenslanders continue to find a way to pinch games.

“If we want to win, we can’t clock off at any time, especially in the later part of games,” Hayne said on Friday.

Their latest lapse came last year when NSW blew a 12-10 lead with seven minutes left in the opening game as Cameron Smith combined with Johnathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer to put Billy Slater over for a late try to give Queensland a 16-12 win.

NSW won the second game, but Queensland went on to claim their sixth straight series.

Hayne says the Blues have been focusing on maintaining their concentration for the full 80 minutes in next Wednesday’s opening match in Melbourne and not taking their eyes off the irrepressible Queensland backs.

“It’s pretty much about just not knocking off and always being aware,” Hayne said.

“Every player in that backline is potent and we’ve just got to be aware of that and it’s those plays that we don’t see coming that tend to get the better of us.

“We’re definitely looking at that during the week and doing our best to contain them.

“The back end of games, that’s when they come alive. Slater, Smith, Cronk, Thurston – that’s when they come alive.”