NSW Blues football manager Frank Ponissi has put state rivalry aside, labelling Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater as the "ultimate professional" amid criticism surrounding his team selection.
Slater has notably dropped captain Daly Cherry-Evans for Wednesday's do-or-die State of Origin Game 2 in Perth.
He has also left Beau Fermor out while bringing in veteran Kurt Capewell and utility Kurt Mann.
This has led to mixed reactions from fans and media pundits alike, with some questioning the decision to drop someone as experienced as Cherry-Evans before a crunch clash.
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Ponissi – who has been the Storm's director of football since 2007 – worked closely with Slater during his playing days in Melbourne.
He has labelled the recent criticism towards the fullback-turned-coach as "unfair".
"He's the ultimate professional and he's a good person," Ponissi told Sunday Footy Show.
"I think he's copped some undue criticism this week.
"He made a tough decision, and a lot of people might have thought it was the wrong decision, but a lot of people also thought it was the right decision.
"They are decisions that have to be made, and he thinks that will help the team.
"He knows a little bit about Origin, and he thinks it will make the team better. I'm sure that's the reason he made the decision.
"The criticism he's copped, I think, has been unfair."
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Tom Dearden has been promoted to halfback as Queensland look to keep the series alive at Optus Stadium on Wednesday night.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:05 pm AEST.