The New South Wales Blues have struck the first blow in the State of Origin series after beating the Queensland Maroons 18-6 at Suncorp Stadium.
In front of 52, 483 fans, the Blues took the ascendancy after a first half double from Zac Lomax, and a further try to Brian To'o.
Queensland was pinned in its own half for the majority of the opening 40 minutes, but the Maroons kept turning up and were rewarded with a late penalty goal after the video referee ruled Xavier Coates was denied the opportunity for a fair catch at a high ball.
Valentine Holmes knocked over the penalty goal as the half time siren sounded to bring the deficit to 12 points.
With a 14-2 leading going into the second half, the Blues had control, but they had to work hard for the opening 10 minutes while To’o was in the sin bin.
The Maroons breathed life into the contest when a big hit from Jeremiah Nanai forced a Blues error, and quick hands from Daly Cherry-Evans and Robert Toia put Coates on course to the try-line.
But that was the last moment of joy for the Maroons, whose focus now turns to Game II in Perth.
Nanai and debutant Toia were outstanding for Queensland, earning high praise from Maroons coach Billy Slater.
NEW SOUTH WALES 18 (Zac Lomax, Brian To'o, Zac Lomax, Dylan Edwards tries; Nathan Cleary goal) def QUEENSLAND MAROONS 6 (Xavier Coates try; Valentine Holmes goal) at Suncorp Stadium.
Crowd: 52, 483
