WILLIE MASON reckons hate is fine, if that's what gets you up for a State of Origin game. His own motivation, however - and that of the Blues as a team, he believes - is simply the burning desire to avoid losing a third series in a row.

Asked at training about the comments of fellow NSW forward Paul Gallen in yesterday's press - the Cronulla star said he was bored hearing "how [Queensland] hate us and all the rest of it, because I feel the same way, times a thousand" - Mason said he certainly wouldn't be leaving his teammate to fight a lone battle in Origin I at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday.