Queensland has caused an Origin I boilover defeating New South Wales 16-10 in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Heading into enemy territory as significant underdogs, rookie coach Billy Slater led his side to the upset win in front of 80,512 fans at Accor Stadium.
While the Maroons eventually prevailed with the win, it wasn’t all smooth sailing after a see-sawing opening 40 minutes which was hotly contested ahead of the main break.
As has often proved a strong slot for the Blues, Jack Wighton scored the opening try of the game on Jarome Luai’s left side, crashing over debutant Selwyn Cobbo in the 14th minute.
While the Blues struck first, Queensland debutant Patrick Carrigan helped turn the tide after he entered the game with the Maroons eventually drawing blood via Dane Gagai in the 37th minute after a stunning Cobbo dribble kick.
Valentine Holmes duly converted that score to give Slater’s side a 6-4 lead at the main break.
Queensland picked up where they left off in the second half with Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans scoring his side's second on the other side of the break, using his step to walk through the Blues’ defence off the back of a scrum.
Now with a significant lead, Queensland were able to add to their buffer when fullback Kalyn Ponga wowed the Blues’ defence with a goose-step and long ball that freed up Valentine Holmes on the left wing who put the margin out to 12.
With the margin blowing out, South Sydney captain Cameron Murray brought the Blues back into it with a barnstorming try in the final 10 minutes, but ultimately that wasn’t enough for Brad Fittler’s side.
As he often does, Maroons five-eighth Cameron Munster stood up at the next level, earning Man of the Match honours for his eight tackle-break, one line-break, all-around performance.
While they’ll have a red-hot chance to close out the series in Game II, Queensland could be without Xavier Coates after the winger left the game in the first half with an ankle injury.
For the Blues, centre Kotoni Staggs was a casualty with the Bronco spotted with ice on his left shoulder after a second-half incident.
New South Wales will need to win Game II on Sunday June 26 at Perth’s Optus Stadium to keep the series alive.
The third and final game will be held at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday July 13.
FINAL SCORE
New South Wales: 10
Queensland: 16
TRY SCORERS
New South Wales: Wighton ’14, Murray 71’
Queensland: Gagai 37’, Cherry-Evans 48’, Holmes 54’
INJURIES
New South Wales: Kotoni Staggs (shoulder)
Queensland: Xavier Coates (ankle)