NSW coach Craig Bellamy has declared his love for the sky-blue jumper and rubbished claims he wanted to coach Queensland two years ago.

As he prepares for his first match as coach of the Blues, Bellamy says reports that he wanted the job his former Canberra teammate Mal Meninga now holds were incorrect.

"No, I didn't apply for it," Bellamy told the Herald. "I didn't want it. If someone offered it to me I might've took it. I didn't say I would. I didn't say I wouldn't, either. I was born in NSW, mate. I'm a NSW person. At the end of the day, I never went looking for it. It was reported that I wanted it. But that was never the case."

It was widely believed that Bellamy had secured the job when the Queensland Rugby League sounded him out about taking over from Michael Hagan after the 2005 series, but his appointment was vetoed at the 11th hour because he wasn't a Queenslander. Instead, the QRL opted for Meninga, who has plotted the Maroons to victory in the past two series. But Bellamy insists the approach came from the QRL.

"To say I was sounded out would be the word," Bellamy said. "I was never offered anything. I was asked if I would be interested, and it didn't go any further than that … I never went searching for it. When it all blew up, the FOGS [Former Origin Greats] got into the QRL about having a New South Welshman coaching them. But I never asked for the job. I never wanted the job. That's where it all blew up."

Asked if he would have coached the Maroons, Bellamy replied: "I don't think about things until I have to think about them."

NSW returned to camp yesterday after breaking up on Friday night and resumed preparations with an opposed session against the Sharks' under-20s side at Moore Park. For winger Jarryd Hayne, the homework started last week and he revealed yesterday he had been given the daunting task of marking Storm sensation Israel Folau, whom he grew up with in Minto in Sydney's western suburbs.

"That's going to be a massive challenge," Hayne admitted. "It's going to be a good contest. He's everything: his size, his strength, he's got a great leap. It's going to be hard for me to defend but hopefully I can do well.

"Someone that big and that strong is always going to be intimidating. I'm excited. I'm nervous. It's just going to be a massive challenge."

Folau missed Queensland training yesterday after contracting a virus, but is expected to be fully fit tomorrow.

Hayne said he had watched hours of video analysis of the teenager. "I've been spending a bit more time looking at it than I normally do at Parra," he said.

Asked if his Blues team-mates would be required to prevent an expected bombing attack given Folau's strength in the air, he said: "Sometimes they just can't get there. It's going to be extremely hard. He has that massive leap - it's going to be a massive challenge."

Speaking of massive challenges, Hayne and the rest of the NSW back line face the most arduous one in the game: shutting down a Queensland attacking unit considered by many the best in the game. Ever.

But the Parramatta flyer reckons that places pressure on them - not NSW.

"It probably is the best ever," Hayne said. "They've got a great back line and are in good form and good shape. But the pressure will be on them to show that. We're just out there to ruin their night and show we're just as good."

Finally, the Blues will name their team of the century at the NSW Leagues Club today.