It should have taken only eight minutes for the Blues to score the first try, thanks to some marvellous work by Jarryd Hayne. The try, however, was disallowed and it evidently thew NSW into a void that proved too difficult to get out of.
For all of Queensland’s dominance, however, a 28-18 score line was a true reflection of the class displayed by the Maroons and the courageous fight shown by the Blues.
After benefiting from a no try decision that should have given NSW an early lead in the first half, Queensland demonstrated why they are hot favourites to become the first Origin team in history to win four consecutive series.
On the back of the usual great go forward by Petero Civoncieva and Steve Price, the Maroons backline unleashed all of its multimillion dollar skills to leave NSW reeling barely 20 minutes into the first half.
Israel Folau was proving unstoppable, Greg Inglis once again seemed untouchable, and Johnathon Thurston was unplayable, as the trio played their part in giving Queensland an 18-6 lead heading into the break.
The only ounce of joy for NSW came late in the first half as Ben Creagh scored a fortuitous try on the back of an inside pass from Hayne.
Indeed, Hayne was the only one in the Blues line-up that looked like tormenting a Maroons backline that is rightfully rated one of the greatest of all time.
The Eels fullback was proving to be a very slippery customer as he constantly made inroads up the middle against a Queensland defence that had NSW’s measure.
Hayne’s efforts looked very much in vain early in the second half as Greg Inglis glided 60 metres to score and put the Maroons up 24-6.
As Maroons coach Mal Meninga was basking at what could have been another record score line, opposing coach Craig Bellamy had to make his first real interchange of the game to help rescue a match that had Queensland’s dominance written all over it.
The inclusion of Craig Wing thankfully payed the necessary dividends that would see NSW stage a terrific fight back that the Queenslanders themselves would have been proud of.
Wing’s penetrative running from dummy half clearly had the desired effect against a tiring Queensland forward pack that counted with immense efforts from work horses Dallas Johnson, Ashley Harrison, Michael Crocker and Nate Myles.
It was no surprise, then, to see both Wing and Hayne score the two tries that put NSW in the most unlikely of winning positions in a game Queensland thoroughly dominated.
In a performance where the Blues really only flickered against a Maroons side full of enthusiasm, Hayne and Wing were the real shining lights for coach Craig Bellamy.
And he will no doubt be hoping their form can lead NSW out of trouble come game two.
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