Queensland stun Blues to take Origin opener

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Queensland v New South Wales

They did it once again. The underdog Queensland Maroons side overturned the favoured New South Wales Blues 18-14 in a tight Origin game 1 at Adelaide Oval in front of 25,218 fans.

It was another display of Queensland spirit, as the unfancied Maroons scored 18 points in the period after half-time to blow away the New South Wales side and take a 1-nil lead in the first State of Origin season to be played after the NRL season.

The venue might have been strange, the dates weird but the passion remained the same. New South Wales strode out to a 10-nil lead, thanks to tries to Damien Cook and Josh Addo-Carr and looked to prove their favouritism tag right. 

Enter some Bennett magic. Going into the break down 10 points, the master coach got the team together and the Maroons were perfect in the second half. They completed their sets and trapped the Blues backline on their own line which created points. 

Debutants AJ Brimson and Xavier Coates crossed on either wing to inch them ahead 12-10. Eight debutants in the side but the calm hand of Cameron Munster and a whole hearted performance from Luke Capewell created the tries. 

Add in some magic from Queensland five-eighth Munster to scoop up the loose ball, hold off James Tedesco and suddenly, it was 18-10 to Queensland. New South Wales who looked in control now were left frantic and having to find a way back into the contest. 

The Blues injected Rabbitohs half Cody Walker into the contest to help their anemic attack but the Blues were their own worst enemy. Bland end of sets and wrong decisions had them without a set of six in the Queensland red zone until the final 10 minutes. 

New South Wales did give the Queensland side a late scare when Addo-Carr crossed to make it 18-14. The Blues were gifted one final set after six again call but the stunted attack ended with James Tedesco who was left to watch the unfancied Queensland side celebrate the win. 

For the Blues, it was all their nightmares collated into the contest. The side looked lost after getting to the lead, and the forward pack were dominated by the younger Queensland pack which left them having to start sets off their line all night. Coach Brad Fittler has a big job to get them ready for a must-win game back in Sydney.