Gallen sets sights on Qld, Gould

There were no hard feelings when Paul Gallen was reunited with Queensland sparring partner Josh McGuire in the Kangaroos camp.

But Gallen does have a bone to pick with staunch NSW supporter Phil Gould over his scathing assessment of Australia’s World Cup chances.

NSW captain Gallen said there were no State of Origin fireworks in the Test camp ahead of Friday night’s 16-0 win over New Zealand despite setting the stage for plenty.

Gallen had some anxious moments before the trans-Tasman Test before being cleared of an elbow to McGuire’s head in Cronulla’s NRL win over Brisbane.

And there were a few more when McGuire entered the Test camp days later as Gallen’s Kangaroos teammate.

But the huge Queensland contingent cut Gallen some slack, making light of the incident as he shook hands with McGuire in camp.

“Me and Josh McGuire had an altercation on the field but they (Queenslanders) are good guys,” Gallen told Sky Sports Radio.

“They are all quick witted.

“When I first shook hands with Josh in camp they asked when we were going to punch on – it was a running joke with them.

“But there were no issues. We were fine.”

Gallen won’t be returning the favour when he runs out against Queensland in his final Origin series, starting in Sydney on June 1.

But it is not just the Maroons Gallen has his sights set on in the wake of the Test win.

Gallen was unimpressed with former NSW coach Gould’s claim that the current Kangaroos line-up would have no chance of winning next year’s World Cup.

“There was probably a bit of unfair criticism,” said Gallen, the Test’s man-of-the-match.

“It was hard particularly when it comes from an Australian who knows a lot about the game.

“They are entitled to their opinion but it was perplexing.

“Walking off we thought people would appreciate how hard and tough that game was.”

Gallen is yet to make a call on when he will retire from international footy but the end of year Four Nations tour looms as his swansong.

Gallen hoped to walk away with Australia back as world No.1.

“It’s a step in the right direction for the Australian jumper,” Gallen said of their Test win.

“Hopefully by the end of the year we can get back to No.1.”

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