New South Wales have stunned Queensland 12-8 in Game 1 of the 2014 State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium to take a 1-0 lead back to Sydney for Game 2.
It was the 100th game in the storied history of State of Origin, and both sides produced a classic that befit the occasion.
>2014 State of Origin Game 1: Queensland vs New South Wales live scores, blog
>>State of Origin 2014 Game 1 half-time result: QLD 4-10 NSW
In the opening exchanges it looked as if Queensland would make the perfect start to their bid for a ninth consecutive series win, with Darius Boyd finishing off a neat backline move in the fifth minute.
But the complexion of the game changed just minutes later when Cooper Cronk was forced from the field with what was confirmed to be a broken arm after the halfback appeared to make contact with Nate Myles attempting to make a tackle.
Whether it was coincidental or not, the momentum of the contest changed almost instantaneously although it was New South Wales’ dominance through a bulky forward pack that saw them gain the ascendancy.
They drew level in the 19th minute with some backline brilliance that was started by one of the Blues’ debutant halves, Josh Reynolds.
Reynolds’ pass released Jarryd Hayne, who drew multiple Maroons defenders off the left-hand edge and put Josh Morris into space to bust down the touchline before swinging the ball back inside into the path of his on-rushing twin brother Brett.
Morris finished off the try, but Trent Hodkinson would go onto miss the conversion, and the try came at a cost with Brett Morris appearing to dislocate his right shoulder but he would be back on the field from the restart.
Shortly afterwards New South Wales found themselves inside the Queensland half again and Hodkinson would atone for his miss by slotting a penalty goal from 25 metres out to make it 6-4 after 26 minutes.
The Blues continued to ask questions of the Maroons’ undersized forward pack and seemed camped in Queensland’s half late in the opening stanza.
But in the 28th minute their enthusiasm in defence boiled over, with Beau Scott and Reynolds involved in a lifting tackle on Brent Tate.
Reynolds was placed on report, and afterwards charged with a grade-two dangerous lifting charge that will see him suspended for two weeks unless he fights the charge.
They extended their lead in the 33rd minute when, after appearing to be enveloped in a tackle by skipper Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston, Hayne powerfully turned off the ground to plant the ball over.
Hodkinson missed the conversion, but New South Wales’ 10-4 lead was a reflection of how they had dominated the half after an early setback.
A second Hodkinson penalty just four minutes after the restart gave New South Wales their biggest lead of the match at 12-4, and it seemed they would extend that lead as they picked up where they left off in the first half.
Like he had been in the first 40 half, man of the match Hayne was ever-threatening and on 53 minutes he again broke through the Queensland line and was only stopped by Billy Slater who prevented a certain try.
It was another momentum-changer, and seemed to spur the home side into action.
Halfback Thurston was again the architect for their second try in the 56th minute, providing a sweeping pass that eventually found his way to Boyd to cross for his second.
That’s 2 Tries tonight for Boyd! #Origin pic.twitter.com/N6KbQK8TkX
— NRL (@NRL) May 28, 2014
Thurston was, for the second time, unsuccessful from the conversion which left the Maroons trailing by four at 12-8.
Queensland poured on the pressure in the final 20 minutes, and only a desperate in-goal tackle from Brett Morris in the 73rd minute prevented Boyd for crossing for the third time of the evening.
It would only continued in the dying stages of the contest, with successive Queensland penalties forcing New South Wales to defend successive sets of six.
But they were able to hang on, and will head south as considerable favourites to end Queensland’s eight-year dominance and win the series.
The @NSWRL hold on to win Epic #Origin opener. pic.twitter.com/hccX7DfY1u
— NRL (@NRL) May 28, 2014
[roar_cat_gal]
Vikki Gibbs
Guest
Cronk's one man of a Team of 13 players. Cronk belongs to a team that has 'at least 5 freaks of nature in their Team', a Team that has won 8 series all straight in a Row, a Team that has humiliated the living daylights out of NSW for 8 very long years, Cronk was missed but they didn't loose because he was injured. We had Bird and Fifta but we still won without them. If you pull Slater out does that mean that QLD didn't stand a chance of winning? Cronk may be an influential and potent player but they didn't loose because of his absence, they lost because NSW just were the better team with the best Defence when they needed it the most. That's why QLD lost and NSW won.
Vikki Gibbs
Guest
I'm NSW supporter but I wouldn't ever knock Slater, he is a freak of nature and he has been such for a very long time. To me he is right up there with Langer and Lockeyer.
Vikki Gibbs
Guest
It would be 'suicide' for NSW to put Pearce in Origin, try hard as he might, he is just not an Origin Player. Please Daley, don't do it!
Vikki Gibbs
Guest
And NSW will come out much the wiser too, it cuts both ways.
Vikki Gibbs
Guest
Cam Smith may be a little older but it's his age that gives him his fear factor, the whole QLD Team look up to him. It doesn't matter if he is a little slower or is injured, he still remains a threat to NSW because of his Iconic status, look what Minichello do for Roosters!
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
Well I walked straight into that one..
Vikki Gibbs
Guest
And what do you know??
Vikki Gibbs
Guest
That's because in Mal's infinite wisdom 'a Club Pairing doesn't make Halves the best State of Origin players'!!
hebsmann
Guest
Qld lost because cronk was injured, what are rubbish excuse.have they forgotten the stars they boast about before the game
karlos
Guest
Yes. I was watching with non RL people and they couldn't believe the hypocrisy and bias. One Qld supporter there said the same as did a kiwi. My AFL mate could also see it. Only the illogical couldn't.
Luke M
Guest
Farah got frustrated in his halves the last couple of years. This year, he trusted them. That was the difference.
Luke M
Guest
Don't forget QLD having no dummy half, the ball just laying on the ground. Jennings dives on it and gets penalized. I guess he is supposed to stand there like a moron until QLD decide they want to pick the ball up.
Luke M
Guest
Merrin was the first to take hitups in our own 20 when QLD were smashing us. he earned my respect big time. Bird will come in for Watmough who apparently has torn his bicep. Plus he was rubbish anyway so a blessing in disguise.
maximillian
Guest
haha!
JB
Guest
Thought Cam smith looked tired at the end also, prvious years he's done far more work, maybe it was the fact that he busted his ankle or maybe it's something else.................maybe?
JB
Guest
In a fully fit NSW pack He wouldn't be in the starting line up, Myles is as tough as they come but I thought Matt Scott was the best forward on the paddock last night
eryan
Guest
Daley was glowing of merrins contribution to the camp in the presser last night - i think he will stay
Fil
Guest
@Vikki gibbs The nrl will do nothing about nate myles because no one complains about it. I don't know why. I guess players and coaches are threatened with tougher sanctions than we as the public are told. The stuff myles, smith and hodges were allowed to get away with was shameful. I really don't get it. What's the deal with gifting QLD origin every year. Is it the nrl's desire to ensure the strong following remains north of sydney, perhaps trying to match Brisbane Roars huge success over recent years?
Vikki Gibbs
Guest
And Mal Meninga prides himself on Charity Work in hard pressed outback communities, all the while telling the Media that it's the reason why QLD'ers are faithful to them and support them so much. I actually do think that tha's the reason why there wasn't that much euphoria happening by QLD'ers at Suncorp. I have heard much more from QLD'ers at Sheperds Bush Walkabout London then I did at Suncorp Stadium by QLD'ers last night. It's not fair those ticket prices, just really Corporate Greed!!!!
One Head
Guest
Get that up ya Toads!