State of Origin turns ‘WWF’ as Pat Carrigan penalised in tense first minutes of opening game

State of Origin turned into ‘WWF’ in the opening minutes of the series opener on Wednesday night.

Queensland forward Pat Carrigan was pulled up for a penalty after raking his arm across the head of NSW fullback Dylan Edwards in a tackle.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: State of Origin turns ‘WWF’ in tense first minutes.

The clash resulted in a scuffle between several players from both sides, with Carrigan and teammate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who also went at Edwards, the focus of the Blues’ ire.

“It’s only a minor skirmish but undoubtedly there is tension building as ever between these states,” Mat Thompson said on Nine.

Andrew Johns described Carrigan’s action as a “WWF” move, referencing the former name for the world’s most famous wrestling company WWE.

Fa’asuamaleaui was then spotted with a shiner under his left eye before 10 minutes had been played.

NSW got on the board first, taking a 2-0 lead with a goal from the Maroons’ third penalty of the night.

The Blues entered the clash with Stephen Crichton lining up at centre despite an injury scare, and the Canterbury captain delivered with a pass to send Zac Lomax through for the first try of the night later in the first half.

Crichton was in doubt after a collision at Monday’s training session left him battling a cork in his upper leg but he proved his fitness on Wednesday morning.

NSW lost Brian To’o to the sin bin on half-time after he tackled Maroons winger Xavier Coates in the air over the try line.

But Queensland only received a penalty, with Valentine Holmes converting for a 14-2 deficit at the break.

Maroons coach Billy Slater did not tinker with the line-up he named last week, Reuben Cotter listed to start in the second row in his first game since May 3 in his return from suspension.

Isaah Yeo became the 22nd Blues captain after being named while his Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary will partner Mitchell Moses in the halves for the first time.

- with AAP