16 Jun 2010

NSW not distracted says captain Gidley

4:18 pm on 16 June 2010

The NSW captain Kurt Gidley says the Blues remain united ahead of tonight's do or die State of Origin clash with Queensland, despite the race row that's engulfed rugby league in the past week.

The NSW winger Timana Tahu walked out of the Blues camp following what he describes as racist and offensive remarks made by the NSW assistant coach Andrew Johns about Maroons centre Greg Inglis.

Johns later resigned from his role and publicly apologised to Tahu and Inglis but his comments have sparked heated debate among the media, players and league officials.

NSW must win game two in Brisbane tonight or suffer a record fifth straight series loss but Gidley says the scandal hasn't affected the team's preparation.

State of Origin two kicks off at Suncorp Stadium at 10:30pm.