State of Origin Maroons v Blues: NSW dominate series opener to record 18-6 win

NSW have held off a fast-finishing Queensland to win the opening State of Origin match 18-6 at Suncorp Stadium.

While the scoreline flattered the Maroons, with the Blues dominating the game to lead 14-2 at half-time, the home side did rally in the second half to score the first try after the break and narrow the lead to 14-6.

But NSW put the match beyond doubt with their fourth try in the final 10 minutes.

The win was the first back-to-back victories for NSW at Suncorp Stadium since 1997-98.

Zac Lomax had a massive game for the Blues, scoring two tries.

Brian To’o was sent to the sin bin on the stroke of half-time after the Bunker said he had committed a professional foul by tackling Queensland winger Xavier Coates as they both leapt for the ball in the in-goal.

Replays showed To’o competing for the ball, with Channel Nine commentator Phil Gould labelling the decision “ridiculous.”

There was no penalty try but it did leave the Blues exposed, beginning the second half.

They looked up to the task when six men bundled Valentine Holmes into touch.

But from the next play Coates scored, Jeremiah Nanai’s pinpoint hit on Latrell Mitchell sending the ball loose and the Maroons pouncing.

At 14-6 it was still anyone’s game, both sides error-riddled under fatigue as the quality descended.

Dylan Edwards sealed the win for NSW when he dived over after Connor Watson managed to throw a miracle pass behind him as he was being tackled by several desperate Maroons defenders right on the tryline.

Payne Haas, with 18 carries, 154 metres, and no missed tackles, was awarded man-of-the-match honours.

Halves Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary clicked in their partnership debut while Stephen Crichton shrugged off his early-week injury crisis. Mitchell was immense in his Origin return.

“That first set we went about 100 metres and just knew we were on,” Moses told Nine’s broadcast.

“Our back five and our middles were outstanding for the whole 80.

“It allowed Nathan the front foot the whole game.”

That was all made possible by a dominant Blues pack, the hosts winning a third-straight Origin game for the first time since 2006.

The Blues’ go-forward quietened the capacity crowd in the first half, the Maroons giving away three ruck penalties inside the first 10 minutes to gift the visitors field position.

Harry Grant was ineffective at hooker while Pat Carrigan missed five tackles and had the Maroons pack’s only tackle break at half-time, compared to 12 from the Blues forwards.

“We just shot ourselves in the foot in the first half,” Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster said.

“We gave them too many opportunities and too many piggybacks (penalties). And we just defended for too long.

“It’s pretty frustrating.”

NSW’s dominance didn’t show on the scoreboard until later in the half, Haas breaking the line and offloading before Lomax scored after 24 minutes.

To’o crossed four minutes later, Mitchell’s brilliant, mid-air offload setting that try up before a slick left-to-right movement allowed Lomax to score his second.

The series heads to Perth for game two on June 18, Optus Stadium a happy hunting ground for the Blues after heavy wins in the only two Origins staged at the venue.

BIG MOMENTS FROM ORIGIN I

Razzle-dazzle footy sees Lomax score

It didn’t take long for Lomax to get involved after a half break from Mitchell Moses opened Queensland up. NSW’s quick play-the-ball had his other half Nathan Cleary involved before Stephen Crichton used the space and speed to find winger Lomax for the opening four-pointer after 25 minutes.

Latrell Mitchell or Harlem Globetrotters?

Latrell Mitchell reminded 52,483 fans at Suncorp Stadium why he’s one of the best players in the world with a mid-air pass at rapid pace to Brian To’o for the Blues’ second try. The speed of the pass combined with perfect placement to his winger left Xaxier Coates and Queensland fans stunned.

Discipline. Discipline. Discipline

Queensland were punished by a more astute and disciplined NSW side on Wednesday night. It was exemplified when the Maroons were pinged twice by referee Ashley Klein consecutively then Cleary shored up the right edge and found Dylan Edwards behind a block runner and Lomax bagged his second try.

Nanai’s thumping hit gets Queensland on the board

The Maroons looked distraught after six players bundled Valentine Holmes into touch early in the second half. Enter Jeremiah Nanai.

The second-rower rushed out of the line and cracked Mitchell, forcing an error, and a quick shift to the right via a beautiful offload from Robert Toia put the Maroons over for their only try to Coates.

High-flying Lomax ensures NSW see off Queensland

After being held scoreless for much of the second half, Lomax reminded Queenslanders why they’ll be having nightmares for a while. A chip kick by Cleary was easily snatched from the sky by the Blues winger before a sensational offload led the way for Edwards to ice the contest. Lomax finished the game with two tries, four tackle busts, two line breaks and 177 run metres.

Blues re-write history north of the border

With their game-one win the Blues have now won two straight at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since 1998.

With AAP