But he believes there is no need for wholesale changes to the squad for the third and deciding game on July 2.

The current coach of Dubbo CYMS played 12 Origins for the Blues between 1994 and 1998 and yesterday admitted it was difficult to watch the Maroons assert their dominance.

But he denied claims the Blues were without passion, admitting the nature of State of Origin ensures honours are generally shared.

“The 30-0 scoreline was pretty embarrassing in the end,” Pay said.

“It’s not so much the 30 but for those boys the 0 would be the hardest thing to cop.

“Queensland dominated the match, we were never in it but there is no way you play Origin without passion.

“The media said the same thing about Queensland after the first game so I think those sort of claims are rubbish.”

A key member of the Blues’ 3-0 series win in 1996, Pay said he didn’t believe too many changes were required in terms of personnel for the third ande deciding match, which will be played at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

“Those guys would be stinging, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“Queensland have always got by on giving blokes a chance to redeem themselves after a bad game and I think NSW should do the same.

“The gameplan will have to change but I think they should probably keep the bulk of the squad in there for the third game.”

Many believe the Blues are still favourites to take the series given they have home-ground advantage in the final contest.

Queensland have a dreadful record (one win from 13 matches) at ANZ Stadium but Pay doesn’t subscribe to the home-ground theory.

“NSW might win the last game but if they do it won’t have anything to do with where it is played,” he said.

“The whole home-ground advantage thing is probably a bit over-rated.

“I played at Lang Park and even though the crowd was against us, you blocked them out when the game started.

“I think NSW will be making a mistake if they think Queensland will struggle just because the game is being played in Sydney. It wouldn’t matter where the game was played, they will be out there to win.”