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Man-of-the-match Luke Lewis was the NSW inspiration to stitch up Queensland 14-6 in the Origin opener at ANZ Stadium last night, but skipper Paul Gallen was the enforcer.
Lewis constantly busted the Maroons up the middle with powerhouse runs that kept the visitors defending desperately all game.
But it took Gallen just seconds to stamp his moment just before half-time when he belted Queenslander Nate Myles with, firstly, a swinging arm, then a left, right combination that snapped Myles’ head back.
“Bring back the biff” campaigners were in meltdown, but had it been an NRL game, Gallen would have copped an early shower.
But this was Origin, so Gallen stayed on and was put on report.
If he pleads guilty he will be suspended for a week and be available for Origin 2, where Myles might not be so swift to head-butt in tackles, one of the reasons Gallen erupted.
While Lewis and Gallen rightfully deserve praise, Laurie Daley is right up there in the salute stakes on debut as NSW coach.
He had his players relaxed and ready to fire – and fire they did.
In terms of Origin experience, the Maroons had bucket-loads full with 213 caps in their starting lineup compared to 92 for NSW.
That didn’t deter Daley nor his troops one scrap. Right from the kick-off, NSW was in control, and apart from the odd lapses in concentration with ball control and tackling, the Blues maintained he rage.
Over the last seven successful years, a Maroon lineup has never been so ponderous, so lacking in energy and snap.
Whether that was just an off night, or NSW was so in control, was hard to tell – maybe it was a combination of both. But one thing is for certain: the best team won on the night for the perfect start to end their seven-year drought.
But beware. There’s no way Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, and Cooper Cronk will have two quiet games back-to-back.
No way.
I left skipper Cameron Smith out of that list because he tried his heart out all night to ignite his side, to no avail. That in itself was rare.
There will be cries that the Queensland side is now “too old”, averaging 29.
Not so. This side will be on fire at Suncorp for Origin 2. Take that as a given with no changes unless there’s an injury.
As for NSW, Daley can’t possibly make any changes after such a good win.
Three of the newcomers – Blake Ferguson, James Maloney, and Andrew Fifita – all came through unscathed, and worthy of their places. Ferguson, in particluar.
The fourth, Josh Reynolds, didn’t get a start off the bench, but has been promised one for Origin 2 by Daley.
Right now, the aftermath to the Paul Gallen thumping of Nate Myles will be the talking point for the rest of the week.
The naysayers will be horrified. Tough.
Rugby league fans will have big smiles on their faces.