The New South Wales Blues have started State of Origin with a win for the second year in a row, defeating the more experienced Queensland Maroons in Melbourne 22-12.
It was a superb multi-phase try which sealed the match for the young Blues, the outstanding James Tedesco breaking down the field, fending off tackles before offloading and allowing the ball the find Josh Addo-Carr on the other side of the field, the Melbourne flyer tip-toeing the sideline and touching down for the match-winning four-pointer.
In truth, it was an excellent second-half turnaround for Brad Fittler’s men. After the Blues headed into half-time with a two-point lead, Queensland started the second period the better of the two teams, Dane Gagai putting aside any fears over his fitness by reaching out to grab an inch-perfect grubber from Ben Hunt and open the scoring for the half.
Valentine Holmes then nailed the conversion from the sideline, belying his status as a back-up goal-kicker to stretch Queensland’s lead to four points.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
After conceding the first try of the second half, the Blues struck back twice in quick succession. First it was bullocking centre Latrell Mitchell forcing his way over the line to tie the scores up at 12 apiece, James Maloney unable to convert from a kickable position.
Not long after, Tedesco broke into the open field and, while he was brought down by a crunching Michael Morgan tackle, it provided the platform for an excellent high kick from Maloney. Even though it was Holmes who rose highest to get first hands on the ball, it was snatched away by a high-flying Tom Trbojevic who crossed to give NSW a six-point lead.
More State of Origin 1
» Six talking points from New South Wales’ Game 1 victory
» As it happened: Re-live Origin 1 with our live scores and blog
» WATCH: Josh Addo-Carr scores an unbelievably good try to seal the result
» WATCH: Tom Trbojevic’s superb high-flying try
The Blues played the entire game with a composure that concealed the fact they had a whopping 11 debutants in the side. While experienced heads Tedesco (who was awarded the man of the match award) and Maloney were outstanding in the victory, young halfback Nathan Cleary played superbly for someone making his first appearance on the Origin stage, rubbishing any pre-match concerns some supporters may have had about blooding the 20-year-old with the Blues too early.
Fellow debutants Damien Cook, Addo-Carr, Mitchell and Trbojevic all had excellent games as well, although there was hardly a poor player for the New South Wales.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
As for Queensland, new skipper Greg Inglis had an immense performance on his return to the Origin arena, laying savage hit after savage hit on a number of hapless New South Wales runners. However, the side clearly missed the experience and all-round class of retired trio Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, and injured fullback Billy Slater.
Earlier in the game the Maroons were the stronger starters, beginning the match with excellent field position as the young Blues took time to find their feet.
But after James Maloney nailed a point-blank penalty with ten minutes gone on the clock to open the scoring for 2018, Damien Cook showed why the Blues had to pick him by making a half-break, releasing Maloney who in turn put James Tedesco in the clear for the first try of the series.
A period of domination followed for the Blues after they opened up that 8-0 lead, but that changed when Holmes raced away to score a much-needed intercept try for the Maroons after grabbing a loose pass from Maloney.
And while the Queenslanders finished the half stronger than their opponents, they were unable to score again before the sides headed in for the half-time break.
The series now heads to Sydney’s ANZ Stadium, which will host Game 2 on Sunday, June 24.
Matt H
Roar Guru
James Tamau
steveng
Roar Rookie
Come on, there were some forward passes let go to both sides, especially at 'dummy half' for Qld and not so much from NSW. As far as Chambers is concerned, what a dog act that was on Cook (he should get 2 weeks for that not 1) as he's been doing that allot but, that is what Qld do when they are losing, I was very surprised that McGuire didnt have a go (with his dog acts, like he did last year). The niggle is part of Qld game but it didn't peter the Blues or work this time. Cook was an inspiration at 9, Maloney (as I said in the live blog) played unbelievable but by gee he could have cost us the game also, Tedesco was an absolute 'genius' his and Cooks breaks were the catalyst to NSW winning this game and the other standouts were, Turbo, JAC and Frizell. For me Cordner was not as affective as everyone makes him out to be, he was out there on the right side and made a few mistakes and/or didn't have a go or an impact, he should have been the bloke to score that none try that Mitchell took on the burst (which is what Souths are doing so effectively) as it would have resulted in a certain try. Never the less, our boys were exceptional (considering 11 debutants) and they will get better in game 2 and 3. The Bunnie boys were exceptional and I'm very proud of all of them, be it Cook/Crichton or GI/Gagai, its very encouraging for the Bunnies to have such talent within their ranks. The real score should have been NSW 38 at least and Qld 12.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Marty I think rugby league fans can grasp the concept but it doesn’t apply to every pass thrown otherwise there would be no forward passes. Maloney made no attempt to turn his body to throw the pass and the arc of his arms coming across his body propel the ball forward relative to his position. The momentum further exacerbated it. I get all the physics around the pass being relative...but Maloney threw it forward.
Emcie
Roar Guru
It doesn't matter where the ball is relative to the player if it went forward out of the hands
Richard POWELL
Roar Rookie
Milford must go and Ponga must come in. Maybe Hess or Arrow should make way for Gillett.
Marty
Guest
When relative to the thrower who is moving forward, the ball will also move forward across the ground while actually travelling backwards through the air. Its simple physics which RL fans just cannot seem to grasp... Thats why the hands are the number 1 adjudicator for referees, player positioning is secondary and the ground markings just aren't considered. I am a ticketed referee too.
Phast Phil
Guest
I'll settle for one game at a time before we get too excited about dynasties. We have been here before.
Richard POWELL
Roar Rookie
Yep. If the other 16 matched Inglis' attitude and energy, Qld walk it in. NSW were very lucky and need to pick it up in Sydney.
Emcie
Roar Guru
yeah, cos that totally applies when a pass goes three meters forward...
Marty
Guest
https://playnrl.com/media/2636/arl-rules-book-2018-web.pdf Section 10, page 22. It was not a forward pass by the official rule.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
LOL - how true!
Marty
Guest
The direction of a pass is relative to the player making it, and not the actual path relative to the ground. A player running towards his opponents goal line may throw the ball towards a colleague who is behind him but because of the throwers own momentum the ball travels forward relative to the ground. This is not a forward pass as the thrower has not passed the ball forward in relation to himself. Thats not my opinion. That's the NRLrule books interpretation. Section 10, page 22. If Maloney threw it forward, then he has to throw it in front of where his momentum travels. Physics says that if moving with pace forward, then the ball is going to go forwards if thrown flat. His hand direction and Addo Carr's body position show that he threw the pass backwards, therefore, it is not forward. I should also mention I am a fully ticketed referee.
steveng
Roar Rookie
lol you can add Kempsey NSW just up the NSW coast to that list where GI was born. Qld stretches its borders globaly and anywhere that is convenient for them, that has been the rule from day one, while NSW has only NSWelshmen, figure that out?
Phast Phil
Guest
As I said, I am from NSW, so not a whinging QlDer. that pass from James Maloney went metres forward and was not even referred to for the video ref. There were more, it is becoming like a scrum, a meaningless rule, although unlike scrums the odd one is picked up.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
He even had Fatty, as one-eyed a Qlder as there ever will be, admit that he has been doing that a lot lately. I just don't understand a person who would mindfully let such an ugly tactic creep into their game.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
There were horribly blatant forward passes all throughout the game on both sides. Qld did just as many, they just didn't lead to tries. Interestingly, the one that did get called was by no mean the worst, just the longest. So I think the rule now is: if the ball travels less that 2 or 3 metres, it's not called forward.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Those sort of 150+ metre games is what we were used to from Cordner and which he hasn’t been delivering. He doesn’t seem to run the same lines and threaten to break the line like he used to though I was opinionated about his selection but never let it be said I’m too proud to admit when I’m wrrrr, wrrr, wrrrr, incorrect ? - he absolutely warranted his selection with a great performance. I still have issues with him as skipper though
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah I don’t need to watch it again. He tackled very well as did Jurbo...they’re arguably the best front on defenders in the game. That was his job. No more, no less. He played well and played his role but I wouldn’t say he was one of the players on the field that deserved a special mention for the victory.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
He has been charged for that knee, but in my opinion he did a worse knee lift in the first half (which I suspect is what caught the panels eye).
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
Agree totally. He ran some excellent attacking angles early on and made good metres, but got moved in and lost his potency. They need to realise he is most useful as a line-running forward.