Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston helped ease some of teammate Greg Inglis's hurt and anger after surviving a fitness test on his troublesome calf at training on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.

Inglis was still coming to terms with offensive racial comments attributed to league great Andrew Johns which prompted NSW winger Timana Tahu's shock walk out of the Blues camp on Friday and an apologetic and remorseful Johns to step down as Craig Bellamy's assistant on Saturday.

After pulling out midway through Friday's training session on the Sunshine Coast with a "tight" calf, Thurston failed to train at all on Saturday, triggering fears all was not well with the Cowboys halfback.

Those concerns however proved unfounded on Sunday after the Game I man-of-the-match involved himself heavily in an opposed session up against Queensland's Under-18 side which will play NSW in a curtain-raiser at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

Asked how he rated his injury out of 100, Thurston said: "One hundred mate.

"I had to give it a good work out today. I didn't want to put the team in jeopardy.

"I had to have a good session. If I had felt anything, I would have pulled out."

While neither Thurston or Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday wanted to comment publicly on Johns's racial slur, Queensland coach Mal Meninga said the drama it had already caused was a danger sign for Queensland should they allow themselves to become complacent.

"I've been around long enough to know these type of issues can meld a side," said Meninga, who played 32 Origins for Queensland and who has been at the helm for the Maroons' record four straight series wins.

"It can actually get them together even closer and make them closely-knit.

"Again, the pressure's on them, they have to win. They have to come up with the right result to keep this series alive.

"I've learned over the years this can actually help a team.

"As long as we're aware of it, don't get complacent at all, and as long as our preparation is really good.

"That's the only thing we can control, ourselves, we've got a few days before we play and we'll just work our way towards being successful on Wednesday night."

Even allowing for the Israel Folau ruckus early in the week, Queensland's preparations compared to NSW have been silky smooth.

Blues coach Craig Bellamy has had to deal with judiciary dramas, injuries, late personnel changes, player walkouts, coaching resignations and claims of an attempted cover up by Blues management, who initially said Tahu's sudden departure was because of a hamstring injury.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP