MAROONS coach Mal Meninga claims he was "drinking responsibly" when asked to leave a Brisbane bar yesterday as he celebrated Billy Slater and Cameron Smith's 30th birthdays.

QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga has questioned whether axed Gold Coast forward Ashley Harrison is past his best as the Maroons mentor turned to debutant Josh Papalii to invigorate his ageing side.

MAROONS veteran Ashley Harrison has been dropped by coach Mal Meninga from Queensland's State of Origin II team, with Josh Papalii to make his debut at Suncorp Stadium.

UNDER-fire Queensland lock Ashley Harrison has done all he can to hang on to his Maroons jersey after producing a tireless 80-minute performance in the Gold Coast's gutting 30-24 NRL loss to South Sydney yesterday.

THE Gold Coast Titans last night expressed interest in Ben Barba as the Dally M Medallist confronts a dilemma that could influence his NRL future at the Bulldogs.

GOLD Coast Titans forward Dave Taylor has been given one last chance to press his claims for an Origin recall with Queensland selectors set to head north to watch the out-of-favour forward against his former club on Sunday.

THE Titans could be running into a triple decker Burgess sandwich with Rabbitohs siblings Sam and George a chance of being joined by mammoth brother Tom in the Cairns clash.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>

GOLD Coast Titan Nate Myles became NSW enemy No.1 as the new-look Blues took a giant step towards defeating their State of Origin demons with a commanding 14-6 victory over the Maroons at ANZ Stadium last night.

QUEENSLAND captain Cameron Smith has earmarked Gold Coast hardman Nate Myles as his successor with the Titans co-captain edging towards becoming the most capped Maroons forward in Origin history.

QUEENSLAND skipper Cameron Smith says Robbie Farah's stated ambition to unseat him as Australia's hooker has only strengthened his desire to outpoint his Blues rival tomorrow night in Origin I.&nbsp;<br>

JAMAL Idris has revealed his burning desire to captain the Gold Coast Titans and has pledged to stay at the club for the remainder of his NRL career.

MAROONS rugby league coach Mal Meninga has taken aim at the controversial decision to rob Queensland of a home game this year as the lopsided draw threatens to destroy his State of Origin dynasty.

MAROONS lock Ashley Harrison has revealed he never had any worries about winning back his coveted No. 13 Queensland jersey after missing last year's thrilling decider through injury.&nbsp;<br>

The Gold Coast Titans have rediscovered the self-belief to be a genuine NRL premiership threat after racking up the highest score in club history to thrash the Eels 42-4 yesterday.

MATT Srama has declared he is ready to once again shoulder the load as the Gold Coast Titans' main hooker after it emerged young gun Sam Irwin's fitness will have to be managed as he battles a groin condition.&nbsp;<br>

OFF-CONTRACT Gold Coast NRL prop Mark Ioane is likely to spurn rival interest and stay with the Titans in a bid to repay the faith shown in him by coach John Cartwright.

Gold Coast Titans forward Ben Ridge will fight hard to win back his starting jersey after a ``frustrating'' injury crushed his breakout season.

THE Titans will not be signing Dally M medallist Ben Barba with coach John Cartwright declaring William Zillman will be the Gold Coast's long-term fullback.&nbsp;<br>

TITANS veteran Luke Bailey has thrown his support behind fullback William Zillman, declaring the Gold Coast don't need to sign Ben Barba to be a premiership force.&nbsp;<br>

SOUTH Sydney five-eighth John Sutton says the Rabbitohs are treating the Gold Coast Titans with plenty of respect as they prepare for Sunday's NRL showdown in Cairns.

GOLD Coast Titans CEO David May has sensationally quit the club, citing personal reasons for his departure less than a year after joining the NRL franchise.

NSW rugby league legend Tommy Raudonikis has backed the way Maroons hardman Nate Myle plays as the Queensland forward came under fire for his State of Origin tactics.

ONLY a late call from pregnant partner Samantha can stop Johnathan Thurston breaking State of Origin's consecutive games record at ANZ Stadium tonight.

GOLD Coast Titans rugby league star Ashley Harrison has won an NRL premiership, featured for the All Stars and is a crucial part of Queensland's seven-year State of Origin dynasty.

GOLD Coast Titans forward Dave Taylor has conceded it will hurt to watch the opening Origin I from outside the Maroons sanctum on Wednesday night.

TITANS pack leader Luke Bailey has given emerging prop Mark Ioane a glowing endorsement as the duo prepare to ink contract extensions with the Gold Coast.

GOLD Coast forward Dave Taylor will be given until match eve to prove his fitness for the Titans' crucial NRL clash against the Cowboys on Sunday with the club sweating on the giant forward's availability to bolster a pack decimated by Origin and injury

MAROONS coach Mal Meninga says he would support moves for Ben Te'o to be stood down for Origin I if Queensland police or the NRL's integrity unit take action against the back-rower.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>

CHIEF Queensland selector Des Morris has assured Gold Coast Titans lock Ashley Harrison he doesn't have to play against Parramatta tomorrow to prove his fitness for the Origin rugby league series opener.

THE Gold Coast Titans have received a massive boost ahead of a daunting month with wrecking ball Dave Taylor last night successful in having a dangerous contact charge downgraded at the NRL judiciary.&nbsp;<br>