Inglis was born in Kempsey and played all his junior football in NSW.

His decision to play for the Maroons is one that is often brought up, especially by disgruntled NSW fans annoyed he does not represent the state he was born in.

Signs have littered Sydney crowds during Origin matches proclaiming the star centre as “NSW’s 18th man”.

And with the Blues claiming just one series in 12 years, it is easy to understand their frustration.

But, in the end, Inglis said his decision to represent the sunshine state was a simple one.  

“I get criticized all the time,” Inglis said on Fox’s Queenslanders Only.

“There’s no doubt I was born in NSW and played all my junior league in NSW. I was born in Kempsey on  the mid north coast of NSW.

“I had a choice. Back then it was a choice. I just said to myself ‘I’ve been living up here (Queensland) for the last two years and this is where I want to stay’

“I wanted to stay up there and actually wanted to play for the Broncos. I was signed with Melbourne at that stage and they sent me up there to Wavell Sports High."

Inglis pointed to mateship as his reasoning.

“I made a lot of great friends and played a lot of football up there," Inglis said.

“It was just the comradery that Queensland have up there.

“I decided to sign on a piece of paper back then and said ‘yep, I’m ticking Queensland'.”