Israel Folau warmed up for his eagerly awaited Queensland debut with two tries as Melbourne went top of the NRL table with a rugged 18-4 victory over Newcastle last night.

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Folau, who became the youngest-ever Australian representative when he played in the Test last year against New Zealand as an 18-year-old, is a certainty to be named in the Maroons’ side tomorrow for the Origin opener on May 21.

While Queenslanders will be licking their lips at the prospect, there were several anxious moments for the NSW selectors last night.

Melbourne prop Brett White (shoulder) and Newcastle fullback Kurt Gidley (facial injury) spent considerable time off the field in the opening half, although both returned to the fray before the interval.

Both were expected to be named in Craig Bellamy’s Blues team tomorrow.

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Another player in contention to play for NSW, Knights prop Ben Cross, was concussed in the final minute.

Newcastle halfback Jarrod Mullen and second-rower Cory Paterson were also put on report for a 17th-minute lifting tackle on Storm forward Sam Tagatese, who went down with a knee injury eight minutes later.

The Knights defended superbly all night, with the scores locked at 0-0 at halftime even though the home side had dominated field position and led the penalty count 8-2.

Melbourne looked to have broken the deadlock in the 46th minute, when Michael Crocker rolled the ball backwards while being tackled.

Billy Slater picked the ball up and sent Folau over.

But after several minutes of deliberation, video referee Chris Ward disallowed the try because of obstruction by Melbourne’s Jeremy Smith.

Folau did open the scoring six minutes later, out-bodying Knights winger Cooper Vuna to claim a cross-field bomb by Cooper Cronk and score.

Folau scored his second try in the 66th minute, taking a fine pass from Crocker and stepping inside two Newcastle defenders.

Captain Cameron Smith was successful with both conversion attempts.

Mullen got Newcastle back into the game with a spectacular 88m try in the 73rd minute.

Mullen fielded a smothered kick from Cameron Smith and burst away down the left touch-line, showing enough speed to beat Matt Geyer to touch down in the corner.

But Gidley was unable to convert the try.

Melbourne still had time for another converted try from winger Anthony Quinn in the 76th minute.

The Knights made a remarkable 194 tackles in a gruelling opening half which ended scoreless after both sides were denied what appeared certain tries in the dying minutes.

Melbourne fullback Billy Slater tackled Gidley in the right corner in the 37th minute just metres from the line.

A minute later, Vuna produced an even better defensive effort when he dragged Steve Turner over the sideline when the Melbourne flyer seemed certain to score.

The victory moved Melbourne above Gold Coast and into top spot on the NRL table on points difference.

NSW and Queensland name their teams tomorrow for the opening match of the Origin series in Sydney on May 21.

© AAP 2012

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