How a seemingly innocent act by Queensland boss Billy Slater left NSW furious just before State of Origin game two

The feud between Billy Slater and Michael Maguire has escalated after the Maroons coach infuriated the NSW camp by leaving Maguire waiting at a media event just before State of Origin Game II.

It was the first time pair faced off since the NSW coach accused Queensland of living in 'glass houses' over their complaints about Reece Walsh being knocked out in a shocking hit by Joseph Sua'ali'i in game one.

'The Blues were filthy, and Queensland's tardiness has added further tension and hostility to a volatile build-up to State of Origin II,' News Corp reported.

Slater, Daly Cherry-Evans and Harry Grant reportedly arrived 10 minutes late to the press conference at Melbourne's Federation Square on Tuesday.

'Well, I always like to turn up on time,' Maguire quipped about Slater's late arrival.

Maguire's 'glass houses' remark was an insinuation that the Maroons were hypocrites for crying foul over the Blues' heavy-handed treatment of Reece Walsh in game one -and it was a hot topic at the pre-game press conference.

Queensland fullback Walsh was knocked out in a sickening hit by Blues centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the series opener, which the Maroons won 38-10 to take a 1-0 lead into game two at the MCG on Wednesday night.

Queensland greats of the past, including Slater's assistant coach Johnathan Thurston, condemned NSW for unfairly targeting Walsh.

Maguire is usually reserved and diplomatic in a public setting.

His decision to bite back at the Maroons was interpreted in some quarters as a ploy to take the heat off new NSW halfback Mitchell Moses and returning centre Latrell Mitchell.

The Blues coach, who did not name which Queenslander he was referring to with the 'glass houses' remark, was keen to let the guessing games continue on Tuesday when he was pressed on the target of his barb.

'I'll let you decide who it was about,' Maguire said.

'I guess one thing I do is I look after my players, that's where it was focused.'

The NSW coach and his Queensland counterpart insist they retain a cordial relationship after working together at the Melbourne Storm over a decade ago.

'We're good,' Slater said, when quizzed on relations with Maguire.

'We did (shake hands) ... we're not actually playing, I don't know if you know that.

'To be honest I didn't feel it (the glass houses sledge) was directed at me.

'It's been a real focus on us and for me to play my part in that it's about keeping my head out of that noise and doing my part for the team.'