NSW insist there’s a simple reason why Billy Slater’s late withdrawal and other Queensland injury drama won’t change their game plan for Wednesday night’s State of Origin opener.

Superstar Slater will be replaced at fullback by Michael Morgan, while the Maroons are also reeling following news that winger Dane Gagai suffered a compound finger dislocation at training on Tuesday.

Queensland are hopeful Gagai will play, but if he misses it could force a complete reshuffle of the Maroons’ backline with neither team having another chance to train again before the MCG clash.

The Blues remained unfazed by the drama going on across town on Tuesday afternoon, adamant before their final session that they didn’t care what Maroons side ran out.

“Not a thing (changes),” said veteran NSW five-eighth James Maloney.

“We haven’t done a thing all week about Queensland. It’s been about getting our own backyard in order and that’s where the focus will stay.”

Maloney’s approach is indicative of the one pushed by Brad Fittler to the Blues since the team entered camp.

With 11 players on debut, NSW have barely mentioned any of the Maroons in public talk over the past week.

“The message for us all week, because there’s been such a change and new players, we’ve just been really focused on ourselves,” captain Boyd Cordner said.

“We’ve learnt in the past that whoever pulls on that Queensland jersey does a really good job and they’re a tough team regardless.

“We havent read too much into their injuries or what their team is going to look like. We’re just focused on ourselves.”