Amused by feedback that he appears a more relaxed and upbeat coach, Paul Green hasn’t hesitated in claiming underdog status on the eve of the State of Origin opener.

The rookie Queensland mentor, fresh after a season out of the game since his North Queensland NRL exit, cut a relaxed figure on familiar turf at Tuesday’s captain’s run in Townsville.

‘Are you suggesting I needed to,’ Green replied when asked if he had adapted his coaching persona for the Origin arena.