Match Centre

FULLTIME :: New South Wales take the series opener, 50-6, following Tom Trbojevic's hat-trick in the first Origin contest to be played in Townsville. Blues will break out the sugar free cokes and head to Suncorp to wrap the series up for Game 2. Match report will be up soon. Enjoy your night Blues fans.

One final hail mary kick for the Maroons. It goes high but Addo-Carr is there to gather. Blues can work this out for the series lead.

Blues are determined to keep them to six. Coates is like a shooting star, he goes so far and gets the ball, flicks it back but can't keep up. Blues swarm and get the ball.

Queensland try to sweep it right and Latrell Mitchell knocks it down. Queensland have a chance to put on some consolation points.

Queensland try creating something on last. The kick just thudded into Luai back to Queensland then Capewell's kick just strolls dead.

Cleary with the one-on-one strip against Tino Fa-asuamaleaui.

Queensland go short. Coates is judged to knock on. CHALLENGE from the home side. UNSUCCESSFUL. Blues scrum.

Blues got lost on last there. Trbojevic goes the shortside and gets walked out.

Everything going the Blues way. Another knock on from the bomb and they have a full set. PENALTY BLUES! Tap and go.

BUNKER TIME! Oh no! Xavier Coates makes a meal of the catch and Mitchell profits. Checking for Haas being offside. He is inside the ten but makes no effort to get involved.

Munster flights a kick but it comes to naught. Blues rucking it out safely.

PENALTY MAROONS! High shot. Not much in it says the referee. AJ Brimson has been injected into the game. Munster also ON REPORT for "striking out with his foot."

The Blues have been silky tonight but that one wasn't smooth. Trbojevic went to the right but his pass goes astray to Addo-Carr.

Meanwhile while the conversion was happening. Kyle Feldt has been put ON REPORT for a late shot on Cam Murray. Referee let the Blues have the advantage and they scored off it. Well refereed.

Been a fiery start to the second half. A few scuffles and Jarome Luai hasn't backed away from anything from the Queensland side.

PENALTY BLUES! Tedesco got taken out trying to take the ball.

Quick start for Queensland. The set was wiped but a kick on fourth from Grant dribbles over the sideline.

Here they come. Blues stride onto the Townsville turf with their 14-point advantage. Can they go on with this and take the series lead? or will Queensland produce another vintage second half performance. Let's find out.

HALFTIME :: Blues strode out to a 20 point lead through To'o and Trbojevic but Queensland got one late through Capewell to give us the 20-6 scoreline at the break.

Early kick from Queensland and To'o is taken in-goal after trying to weave his way through. Dropout.

SIX MORE for Queensland. They are poring on the pressure now.

That is not ideal for the Blues. First: Cleary has to leave the field for the blood bin then Latrell Mitchell kicks it out on the full.

PENALTY MAROONS! Gagai has it stripped by Mitchell.

Blues kick through and Coates gets his side a breather and lets it roll over the sideline. Queensland are down one on the bench with Christian Welch failing his HIA.

Blues get something going! Latrell Mitchell goes down the shortside and rampages down the right side. Blues go back inside and get a PENALTY! Addo-Carr was taken out.

OH NO! Queensland get a six again on fourth tackle. Munster missed it and kicks it high and the Blues get it back. Let off there.

Time off. Everyone gets a break after Christian Welsh head clash. He goes off and is replaced by Moeaki Fotuaika.

PENALTY BLUES! Tom Trbojevic has been everywhere thus far. He tries to go up for the bomb and gets taken out. Blues go for the two points.

Munster with the first mistake of the game. He kicks it dead which gives the Blues seven tackles.

Both sides have fired an early shot. Queensland has found gaps through their Storm duo of Harry Grant and Cam Munster while the Blues have gone to their left to Jarome Luai.

Both sides through their work early. The game is simmering along nicely.

KICK-OFF is short and the Blues have first use.

Here we go! All the ceremonies are done. The pleasantries are over. Time for Origin. State vs State. Mate vs Mate.

Here come the teams! First out is the Blues to a huge razzing from the locals as they take their first look at this magnificent stadium. Que the huge cheers and here comes the locals. Queensland, the current holders of the shield, strut onto the field feeling 10 feet tall after that racous reception. Now only the anthem and welcome to country is between us and the start!

The build up continues with some more vision inside the dressing rooms and we do end up getting a sermon from Gus Gould - who takes the odd turn of quoting Games of Thrones - in his fire up speech before the game. Kick-off is moments away (might not be moments)

We kick off pre-game festivities with the live entertainment. Queensland's own The Veronica's bring their powerful pop rock to Townsville. The sisters went through some of their classics including 4ever and this updater's favourite untouched which will have all the emo kids at home singing along to finish their set.

Happy Origin everybody! We are in Townsville for the series opener after Melbourne was everything they were not so the game had to be relocated north. Queensland are the current holders and will get two home games which they hope will leave the shield untouched by the Blues. New coach Paul Green has battled injuries, changes and illness and has his side ready for the challenge. For Brad Fittler and the Blues. It is about redemption. Last year they were beaten by the 'worst Maroons side ever' and he has brought in a swathe of Panthers to the spine alongside Latrell Mitchell back from the cold as they try to live 4ever and take a lead to Suncorp. Grab your snacks, a coke without sugar (especially for you Gladys) and settle in for the rugby league showpiece.