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Queensland has won a thrilling game 1 of State of Origin, coming back from 10-12 behind to overrun New South Wales 16-12 in the final minutes.
Billy Slater scored the matchwinner to seal the game for the Queensland Maroons with seven minutes to go.
New South Wales were 6-0 behind for much of the game, after Queensland scored a soft try after just six minutes.
However, the Blues withstood heavy pressure, going to half time 6-0 behind.
However, Jamal Yow-Yeh scored after poor communication between the NSW wing Brett Morris and fullback Josh Dugan.
Mitchell Pearce scored to give NSW a hope, and Michael Jennings crossed to put the Blues in front with eight minutes to go, up 10-12.
However, the class of Queensland shone through, with Thurston, Lockyer and Slater combining for Slater’s tenth Origin try.
Queensland and International hooker Cameron Smith was the man of the match.
New South Wales will take great heart from the game despite now trailing the best of three series 1-0.
The series now heads to ANZ Stadium in New South Wales on June 15th.
State of Origin Game 1 Scorers
TRIES
QLD
Johnathan Thurston 5m
Jharal Yow Yeh 46m
Billy Slater 73m
NSW
Mitchell Pearce 65m
Michael Jennings 69m
CONVERSIONS
NSW
Jamie Soward 2/2 (100%)
QLD
Johnathan Thurston 2/3 (66%)
PENALTY GOALS
QLD
Johnathan Thurston 0/1 (0%)
Relive all the action from our live scores and blog of State of Origin game 1.
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May 25th 2011 @ 10:19pm
Al from ctown said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:19pm | Report comment
Dragon players for nsw = chokers… Great time to regain that choker tag boys… Also… Ennis isn’t an origin player. One more thing, miles is confirmed as the dirtiest player in rugby league… Well done qld. And more so the refs.
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May 25th 2011 @ 10:29pm
Hutr said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:29pm | Report comment
And NSW people wonder why QLDers love winning so much, nothing like seeing a grown man cry
May 25th 2011 @ 10:33pm
Graham said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:33pm | Report comment
whenever nsw lose they turn on their best players. Whenever QLD lose they rally around their best players. Thats why we’ve built such a strong team over the years
May 25th 2011 @ 10:58pm
Stanza said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:58pm | Report comment
You sound like your Gallen – it was the refs fault blah blah blah. I’m pretty sure Myles is not the dirtiest in RL, have a look at the replay to see Bird and Gallen’s tactics in the ruck then tell me who is the grub!
May 25th 2011 @ 10:21pm
jameswm said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:21pm | Report comment
The interviews about the Qld spirit etc really gave me the s–ts. NSW showed HUGE heart, to hang in during repetitive sets of 6 on their line, then scored 2 tries to take the lead.
The massive underdog playing away from home showed huge heart. Where is the respect for them? Mitchell Pearce was huge, ditto Beau Scott.
Some tough decisions against NSW. Well done boys.
The sole error? They got ahead and then sat back on defence ad stopped tackling. They let NSW back in. Still – win at home, which they well could, and the series is well and truly alive.
Oh – and please, Haye or Idriss at least on the bench, please?
May 25th 2011 @ 10:32pm
Hutr said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:32pm | Report comment
I agree with most of what you say, especially about the commentators talking some……
Its going to be a close series
May 25th 2011 @ 11:17pm
Roarr said | May 25th 2011 @ 11:17pm | Report comment
Yeah agreed. The whole qld spirit thing just suits the media nicely so they can play the two angles against each other. NSW did show alot of ticker…they just got destroyed in the forwards and by cam smith in particularly.
And yes, the commentators were horrendous tonight. Just call the bloody game… i felt embarassed when I thought Americans/Internationals would be watching this for the first time and had to listen to stuff like that. You seriously dont hear commentary like that anywhere else in the world. They just call the game, and when its needed give a short analysis.
Dugan, Soward, Pearce will be alot better in Syndey and Gallen should learn as a captain. Stick with them…but maybe make a few changes up front (i.e King etc).
May 25th 2011 @ 10:26pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
How sweet it is! Nice, tight game though. Very exciting. What atmosphere!
A lot of errors for NSW. A bit of a worry. Dugan, not bad, but not exactly convincing either. Gasnier, Gasnier, Gasnier. Dear oh dear. He got poleaxed by Boyd (A GUY HALF HIS SIZE) twice? Then drops the ball cold with just a minute to go. If he manages to get on the side again, he will really have to do something special.
Also good to see the refs didn’t put anyone on report AFTER THE SIREN. And in general, not a bad refereeing job (despite the dubious forward pass by Pierce – they probably could have let that go).
Bring on Game 2! This series looks like it will be a beauty!
May 25th 2011 @ 10:32pm
bilbo said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:32pm | Report comment
Gas had a bad game – was rushed by Tonga and Boyd constantly. Hayne needs to be there – on the bench at least. And what is it with NSW making basic, pedestrian errors all the time. The Yow Yeh try was embarrassing.
May 25th 2011 @ 10:55pm
Waylon Jennings said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:55pm | Report comment
FUB is an overhyped plonker, not up to this standard. He believes his own copy. Beau Scott is a psychotic thug.
May 25th 2011 @ 10:30pm
Bondy said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:30pm | Report comment
I thought we did quite well , i thought they’d beat us by six.
Where there’s light.
May 25th 2011 @ 10:32pm
jamesb said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:32pm | Report comment
Al from ctown
dragons are known for their great defence, its nice that some of those dragons players rubbed off on the rest of the team when they defended for about 5 or 6 sets in a row.
Chokers my backside
jameswm I agree, we need a hayne or Idris on the bench. And we need a prop forward. Whether its weyman, tolman just someone that can cart the ball up similar to matt scott.
I’d only make a couple of changes. Then again injuries can play a part.
May 25th 2011 @ 10:40pm
Al from ctown said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:40pm | Report comment
Soft try’s…. Real great defense… Maybe the choker tag rubbed off if anything….
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May 25th 2011 @ 10:51pm
jamesb said | May 25th 2011 @ 10:51pm | Report comment
i don’t know what Morris was trying to do, shield the ball, mark his opposite number, or allow dugan to get the ball. I don’t think morris knew what he was doing.
its unlike him.
Gas, well he hasn’t played an origin game since 2008, and it showed. But hey write of a champion player at your peril.
May 25th 2011 @ 11:08pm
Stu said | May 25th 2011 @ 11:08pm | Report comment
Pretty sure Inglis is looking forward to opening Scott up again after a grubby game 1.
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May 25th 2011 @ 11:18pm
karlos said | May 25th 2011 @ 11:18pm | Report comment
Plenty of forward passes and 50/50 calls that went one way.
May 25th 2011 @ 11:21pm
Charles said | May 25th 2011 @ 11:21pm | Report comment
Ricky Stuart you must be joking. Where is the structure, the so called game plan, the marker defence and the urgency? What happened to the forwards going forward? The team selection was wrong and needs strengthening in certain positions and I would do that now if we are going to win!
1.Jarrod Hayne Sorry, Josh Dugan is not an Origin player
2.Akuila Uate Very impressive now this is an Origin player
3.Mark Gasnier Heavily marked played well though
4.Josh Morris Will do well next to his brother if he gets back to form
5.Bret Morris Safe let in a try but that is unusual blame Dugan
6.Jamie Soward Played well first game will improve, saved many tries
7.Todd Carney I like Mullen but Carney can read the play better
8.Michael Weyman At least he knows how to go forward
9.Robbie Farah We need much more speed around the ruck area
10.Keith Galloway Also will go forward
11.Paul Gallen He is not a lock needs his energy for line breaks and off loads
12.Greg Bird He can off load and make line breaks too
13.Dean Young Athletic and never stops in both attack and defence
14.Tom Learoyd-Lahrs Great player to come on he makes plenty of ground
15.Luke Lewis He puts urgency into the play never stops and can off load
16.Ben Creagh All rounder who can off load
17.Kurt Giddley Best utility player if available he speeds up the play
I only have three forwards with the view of moving Gallen in the front row in the 2nd half
We need the forwards to go forward close to the ruck area and the back row to off load out wide
Carney will be more potent at ½ back than Pearce who makes too many wrong options.