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The Queensland Maroons have taken out the first game of the 2015 State of Origin series by a single point over the New South Wales Blues.
More Origin 3
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» Seven talking points from Origin 3
» State of Origin 3 live scores, blog
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» WATCH: Maloney binned for ‘professional foul’ on Slater
» WATCH: Tariq Sims has brain fade – tackles marker
In what was a very physical game of football, the Maroons were the dominant team and deserved to win. The Blues really had to stay tough in defence throughout the game, with 61% of the game played in the New South Wales defensive half.
Full State of Origin 1 wrap:
>> ORIGIN 1 MATCH REPORT
>> FULL ORIGIN RESULTS
>> Live blog and highlights
>> Cameron Smith given man of the match
>> The Roar’s Origin 1 player ratings: Queensland
>> The Roar’s Origin 1 player ratings: New South Wales
HOW TO LIVE STREAM NRL, WATCH ONLINE
The Maroons dominated the early phases of the game, with a disallowed try to Billy Slater before Cooper Cronk crashed over on the right hand side to open the scoring in the 13th minute. It was set off by some good dummy half work from Cameron Smith and a good set that rolled up the field.
The Blues then played themselves back into the game and held the ascendancy for the rest of the first half putting on two tries to Josh Morris set up by a Josh Dugan chip kick. When Beau Scott crossed six minutes later, the Blues took the lead for the first time in the game and the rest of the first half was a very physical battle with no more scoring.
At halftime the score line read New South Wales 10–Queensland 6.
After halftime, and for the whole of the second half it was all Queensland, and it was incredible that they only managed to score 5 points for all their dominance.
New South Wales, in attack were shocking, dropping the ball and not executing any of their plays. The Maroons had plenty of opportunities and spent the whole second half it seemed camped on the Blues’ line.
At one point the Blues had multiple drop outs in a row and then in the 55th minute it was Will Chambers who managed to cross in the right hand corner for the Maroons. Thurston and Cronk, again exceptional in setting up the try.
William Chambers scored his first try in Maroon in Origin I. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
The attacking raids on the Blues defensive line continued until with about 10 minutes to go the Maroons received a penalty just over half way. In a strange decision, when you felt the Blues could have cracked at any time with more attack, Johnathan Thurston and the Maroons hierarchy decided to take the penalty goal.
It fell short of the posts and the Blues managed to finally play some decent football putting themselves into position for a field goal. However they decided to run it and Michael Jennings grubbered it dead.
Cooper Cronk then stepped up for Queensland, kicking the field goal that would see the Maroons take a 1-point lead.
The Blues did have one more chance for a field goal but passed to Dugan instead of Hodkinson and after being rushed he missed the shot.
The Maroons then managed to control the last couple of minutes and despite the Blues having one last play, with just 1 second on the clock couldn’t force anything, meaning the Maroons took game 1 by a single point.
Thurston, Cronk and Slater were all exceptional as were Smith, Scott and Thaiday for the Maroons whilst for the Blues Dugan, Woods, Tamou and Pearce in patches were their best on ground.
The series now moves to Game 2 at the MCG, one the Blues have to win to keep themselves in the series.
Final Score:
Queensland Maroons 11
New South Wales Blues 10
The New South Wales Blues will look to begin their State of Origin defence with a win against the Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium in what promises to be a cracker of a game. Join The Roar from 8:00pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
In 2014 the Blues broke an eight-year losing streak, narrowly winning Games 1 and Game 2.
State of Origin 1 match report – Queensland win 11-10
The Maroons then came back in Game 3 at Suncorp Stadium, recording a big win.
The first two games were low-scoring, and if the Blues are to win in 2015, it looks like the same method will be required – winning the battle of the forwards in the middle of the park – will have to be applied.
For the Blues Josh Dugan moves from centre to fullback to replace Jarryd Hayne, which means Josh Morris and Michael Jennings are the centre pairing. Will Hopoate plays on the injured Brett Morris’ wing, while Mitchell Pearce is favoured for another opportunity in the halves over Josh Reynolds, with Trent Hodkinson keeping his spot.
Robbie Farah is the captain with Paul Gallen out and Josh Jackson taking his spot at lock, meaning Trent Merrin stays on the bench. Boyd Cordner, Andrew Fifita and debutante David Klemmer round out the bench.
The Maroons look almost the same as 2014, with a few minor changes. The retired Brent Tate is replaced by Will Chambers, who will be keen to impress and take Justin Hodges’ centre spot next year. Michael Morgan replaces the injured Daly Cherry-Evans on the bench, and Josh McGuire makes his Origin debut on the bench, with Dylan Napa the 18th man.
With Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk calling the shots in attack, if the Maroons win the battle of field possession in the middle, it could get ugly for New South Wales.
Pearce and Hodkinson will need to control things for the Blues with their kicking games, but the most important player is shaping up to be Josh Dugan. He has been in fantastic form and needs a massive game if the Blues are to win.
The Blues also desperately need to win this game as Game 3 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane will be close to impossible to win.
Prediction
Despite New South Wales’ size on the bench, Queensland will be firing on all cylinders as they look to avenge last year’s defeat and should be able to overcome the Blues.
Queensland by 14.
Join The Roar for our live coverage of State of Origin 1 from 7:45pm (AEST) and don’t forget to comment in the section below!