Victor Radley will embrace his status as Queensland's new public enemy No.1 as NSW coach Laurie Daley gives the Sydney Roosters lock licence to unleash his fiery side in his State of Origin debut.
English international Radley only entered the selection frame after changes to eligibility rules this year and was a surprise inclusion on the bench when Daley named his game one squad on Monday.
"I didn't expect to get picked," Radley said.
"That's not saying I ruled it out but to get the call, to get told I'm on the bench, it was a little bit surprising. But also, I think I'm ready for it."
Radley has one of the longest rap sheets in the NRL, sin-binned 11 times in his 166-game NRL career.
He has conceded seven penalties in his five games for the Roosters this season, and missed last week's Magic Round loss to North Queensland through suspension for a high tackle.
Radley also sat out the start of this season after being hit with a 10-game club-enforced suspension for an off-field indiscretion.
But on Monday morning, Daley warned he would not tell Radley to curb his aggression and declared: "I picked Victor to be Victor.
"I don't have to have a conversation with Victor. I love everything he brings.
"He brings intent and he brings a physicality and I think a lot of people when they have watched Victor Radley over the last few years would have loved to have seen him in this arena."
Radley has been given a similarly loose leash at club level by long-time Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
"I know that I get some grief for it, but Robbo's pretty clear on how he wants me to play," Radley said.
"It's never going to be in a style that isn't about going after the opposition. It's the same at the Roosters, but it's good to hear Loz saying that."
Blues enforcer Liam Martin is sidelined from the series opener with a knee injury, with Radley poised to take his place as Queensland's pantomime villain.
Radley said he "couldn't care less" if his fiery reputation made him a wanted man in Queensland's eyes.
"I'm never loved no matter what I do," he said. "I'm enemy number one."
