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.

"I think you've got to stick by him," Mason said. "He came out and spoke from the heart about what he thinks, and that's great. As a forward partner, I've got to back him up. I'm not going to sit back and say, 'Go do it yourself."'

But the hate angle isn't Mason's personal style. Dislike, yes - but when asked if he hated Queensland, the big Rooster replied: "The state? It's got some nice places. The barrier reef is good. I've got a few properties up there. They hate us. I speak to [Roosters teammate and Queensland forward] Nate Myles outside of camp, and he says, 'We f---ing hate you.' That's the general consensus in Queensland, when you've got a Queensland jersey on. They hate us."

Mason said he had gained a deeper insight into how the rivalry between NSW and Queensland became so intense by reading the book A Centenary Of Rugby League, which was released last week as part of the game's 100-year celebrations.

"It [hate] is a Queensland thing," he said. "It's embedded in them since we pinched all their good players. They were filthy, then they got back [through Origin] and now they're united.

"There's always been a dislike [from the NSW point of view], but it's not a hate thing. Our motivation isn't hate. That's theirs. That's been Queensland's motivation for 27 years, that they hate NSW. We need to find our own motivation."

Asked what that motivation might be, Mason said the mere thought of another series loss was enough to get him pumped.

"I don't really care how it happens, but I just want to win this series," he said. "I don't want to lose, and neither does anyone else here - that should be motivation enough. We've got a lot to play for - we've got our pride to play for. We've been beaten in the last two series, and it hurts. There's no better feeling than winning an Origin game. It's something special, and no one can take that away from you.

"As a player who was involved in winning three series and then losing two, it sucks to lose. I'm sick of it. It's embarrassing, and I'm going to do everything I can to get out there and do my best for NSW. It's not about hate, it's about winning. We need to win."

NSW have not lost three straight series since 1987-89. Queensland came from a game down to win the 2006 series and wrapped things up last year by winning the first two games. The Maroons had not won a game at ANZ Stadium in eight years of trying before taking game two of last year's series there. Mason said the first game of this year's series was hugely important, since momentum is everything.

"There's nothing between us, but you could easily lose a series 3-0 if things don't go your way," he said. "That's why this first game is so important to us - because if we win this, everyone's confidence levels will be so up. We're playing at Homebush, and they've only won one game there, so it's still a hoodoo ground for them.

"We beat them up there [at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium] as well, don't forget, last year, so if we get this first game, we're going to take a lot of confidence with us going up to Suncorp."

Mason reckons rookie Blues halfback Peter Wallace looks the real thing when it comes to Origin, saying: "He's got an old head on a young body. There's a little bit of pressure there for him, but he's handling it easily. He's very cool."