Disgraced former NSW great Steve Roach has publicly apologised for abusing referee Tony Archer following Wednesday's State of Origin victory by Queensland at ANZ Stadium.

Roach stood down from his position as an assistant manager of the NSW team after calling Archer a "f...ing cheat" in the tunnel after Queensland claimed a series clinching 16-10 win.

The former prop said he got carried away by the emotionally charged defeat and had apologised directly to Archer.

"It doesn't matter whether I'm wearing the blue blazer or I'm a supporter, my passion and commitment to the Blues will never waiver," Roach said during his commentary duties for the Macquarie Radio Network.

"I did the wrong thing. I apologised to the appropriate people and I just want to get back on the horse and get on with football again.

"It was a private conversation (with Archer) but I will tell you part of it.

"I have always got on good with Archer and we have a pretty good relationship with him and his wife (NRL media assistant Alison) and he said to me 'now I know what State of Origin passion is all about, I have refereed my first series'.

"I apologised to him. It was a heat of the moment thing. I got carried away.

"I have always worn my heart on my sleeve. I think I am playing, I'm only on the bench and helping with the management.

"I honestly felt for the boys. I have a great affiliation with the boys and I got caught up in the moment and I apologise for it and don't know what else I can do."

While Roach will not be involved with future NSW teams, he says the Blues need to discover some match-winning talent to equal the galaxy of stars Queensland boast.

Roach believes the injury forced absence of Origin I match-winner Mark Gasnier robbed the Blues of their best attacking weapon for the decider.

"NSW are in a little bit of a hole at the moment. We've lost the last three series and we've got to find some sort of strike player," he said.

"You have to have the personnel. The big loss for us was Gasnier. He was our strike player, he was what worked in the first game and had an absolute blinder.

"In the second game a great player (Queensland's Greg Inglis) returned serve.

"The third one, if we had of had him you never know."

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