New South Wales has drawn first blood in this year’s State of Origin series, with Brad Fittler’s baby Blues defeating a new-look Queensland Maroons side by 22-12.
In winning the first match, the Blues have the chance to wrap up the series at home, with Game II to be played at ANZ Stadium on June 24. It will be the first time since 2001 that an Origin match has been played on a Sunday.
More State of Origin 1
» State of Origin live scores, blog
» WATCH: James Tedesco scores the first Origin try of 2018
» WATCH: Valentine Holmes races away to score a crucial intercept try
» WATCH: Dislocated finger can’t stop Dane Gagai scoring an incredible try
However, they will have to bury the demons of last year’s humiliating series loss to do so, after they had lost the series despite winning the opening game in Brisbane by 28-4 and leading by ten points in the second game at home before losing that game by 18-16.
It was that series defeat which saw coach Laurie Daley sacked in favour of Fittler, who played 31 Origins for the state between 1990 and 2004, after he had overseen four series defeats in his five years in charge of the state.
The former Sydney Roosters captain and coach’s decision to blood eleven debutants paid off handsomely, with three of them (Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr) scoring a try each in the second half to turn a narrow 8-6 half-time lead into a convincing 22-12 victory.
Earlier, James Tedesco scored the first try of the series after over 20 minutes of play, before the Maroons hit back through an intercept length-of-the-field try to Valentine Holmes shortly after to peg the margin to 8-6 at half-time.
Dane Gagai then scored following the resumption as the Maroons took a 12-8 lead, but that would be their last score for the night as the Blues scored the final three tries to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The win saw Fittler emulate the likes of Laurie Daley, Craig Bellamy and Graham Murray in winning their first matches as coach of the Blues in 2013, 2008 and 2006 respectively.
But it will now remain to be seen whether the honeymoon will continue for Fittler, a man who knows New South Wales inside and out, after those three coaches eventually lost their first series as coaches of the state.
Brad Fittler (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
He will be looking to become the first rookie NSW coach since Ricky Stuart in 2005 to win his first series, which he has the chance to do in just over two weeks from now with Game II to be played at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
If the Blues can wrap up the series in front of their home fans on June 24, then they will head to Suncorp Stadium on July 11 with the chance to complete their first clean sweep since 2000.
Doing that would be the dream start to Fittler’s Origin coaching career, following a modest stint as coach of the Roosters between mid-2007 and 2009.
As for the Maroons, who were without Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith for the first time since Game II, 2003, it’s back to the drawing board as they attempt to salvage the series behind enemy lines later this month.
Of the quartet, only Slater was available for selection this year, though he has announced his intentions to retire from all representative football at the end of this series.
He ended up not playing due to a hamstring injury sustained during training, but it shouldn’t be serious enough to deny him a farewell game at Suncorp on July 11, which the Maroons will be motivated to win should they tie the series with victory at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
His return can’t come quite soon enough for Kevin Walter’s men, who apart from some good patches either side of half-time were well and truly outplayed by the younger and more determined Blues outfit.
Greg Inglis, in his first game as state captain, said that while some minor errors cost them in the end, he could not fault the efforts of his players.
Greg Inglis (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
With Game I now in the books, attention turns to Game II in 17 days time where the Blues will have the chance to wrap up the series on their home soil, while the Maroons will have to pick themselves up if they are to salvage the series and have any chance of winning their twelfth series in thirteen years.
Dodgy dragons
Guest
Stats only tell half a story. Lots of people are saying that the NSW forwards were dominated/overpowered by qld, but unfortunately for qld they forgot that making meters isn’t the only thing, you also have to defend. Our forwards stopped everything they threw at us, where qld leaked like a seive. Maybe they used all their energy in attack and didn’t have enough when it was needed in defence? Although I’m biased, I thought JDB was awesome. Tackled hard and it was his 2 hitups/quick play the balls that led to the breaks for 2 of our tries and he doesn’t get the accolades that teddy and Cook get, yet he was the one that allowed them the space with disorganized defense to make the breaks. People read too much into stats, I’m sure A woods would have had great numbers last night if he played, but still would have been less effective than all the blues forwards out there. Great result for the blues, but still a long way to go and any talk of a new dynasty is very premature but is definitely a step in the right direction and the new debutants will be better for the run in game 2
Zedman
Roar Rookie
The people coming up with the “dynasty” predictions do not watch a lot of rugby league.
souvalis
Guest
You can shout out ‘Queenslander’ till you’re hoarse,but it’ll only take you so far before talent kicks in...Maroons go with pick and stick (ha!) they’ll get the same result...and if Inglis has set the standard for neck tackles last night,not that he did anything illegal,Matt Gillett would be wise to stay out...ditto Billy,his club form just isn’t good enough right now to help in any way other than talk...
Albo
Guest
I think you guys should stay away from the stats sheets as your analysis bible. They are often misleading in analysing the performances of players and their contributions to a result. Pre-match I could see only one possible risk of NSW not coming away with a win, and that was if Munster & Inglis on the QLD left side were allowed to run. I was concerned that these two with Morgan chiming in here would be their one main point of attack outside of QLD bombs . But the NSW right side defence ( Frizzel, Cleary & Roberts) completely shut them down and this left QLD with few options to worry the Blues. I rate the performances of these three Blues players much more highly than the stats might indicate. And I would not be changing any of them for game 2.
Matt H
Roar Guru
How many times have we heard "this could be the start of a winning dynasty". Remember the dynasty that started after game 1 last year?
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’ve been critical of Cordners selection but he was NSW best forward. I’m sure Cleary not goal kicking is just to avoid putting additional pressure on the young bloke.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Maybe, Frizell should be used 'out wide' like Cordner was intended to but didn't deliver, to how John Sutton is used for the Rabbits, who's doing such a devastating job which Cordner was 'way off' in this game. Frizell would have a greater impact in that way. I just thought that our forwards didn't have as greater impact on our win as they were supposed to. In game 2 (if Freddy doesn't do something) it could be the difference and could have a great impact on the result. Also, what are your thoughts on why Cleary didn't kick for goal? I thought that it was a mistake and could have cost us the game, if the score would have been close.
parkhacker
Roar Rookie
What a great win. It was a hard match with Qld defending like their lives depended on stopping NSW scoring.Inglis played like a man possessed he was their man of the match.In the end our speed proved too much.Maloney and Cleary dominated 2nd half ably assisted by Tedesco who was my man of the match.Klemmer ,Cordner and Frizell great forward power down the middle and rugged defence.Bring on Game 2 at Sydney we will be better , finish cane toads off and win series.This could be the start of a winning dynasty for us long suffering Blues supporters.Congratulations coach Fittler you have a winning combination.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agree with most except the Frizell “tremendous impact” bit. 9 runs for 70 metres for the amount of game time he got hardly screams tremendous impact to me from a workload or impact perspective. He was solid in defence but most of the Blues were. A couple of solid runs early but not much effectiveness with the ball after that. I don’t get the point of playing such a strong running ball carrier and tying him up with defensive work. Maybe it’s me...this is another game where a few people are raving about Frizell’s performance and I just didn’t see it.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Also correct. You can't lose physicality in the forwards for that long and expect to get away with it too often.
Adam
Guest
Aitken should have been there andast night further illustrated that. Mitchell was good, bit Roberts was very poor. Wasn't willing to do the hard yards and Aitken offersao much more. I'd pick him over both Roberts and Dugan.
steveng
Roar Rookie
For me TB, Cordner and de Belin weren’t much chop, Crichton was very sporadic and had an average game while Campbell-Gillard was effective but not outstanding but Frizell was just exceptional and stood out for the NSW forwards, he had tremendous impact. For me, NSW didn’t tackle fiercely enough (as allot of the commentators said) while Qld were the exact opposite and that is where Qld had most of their advantage and that was the big difference. I agree that if JAC and Mitchell score those tries it would have been a shellacking and also, why didn’t N. Cleary kick for goals? The bloke is the best goal kicker in the NRL comp and I’m sure he would have kicked those two conversions that Maloney missed, that's 4 points that the Blues missed out on! ! Maybe, that is another thing that Freddy should reverse in game 2. All in all NSW played well and were deserving winner but, I wouldn’t call them ‘lay down misere’. Watch out Freddy as the Qld ‘AMBUSH’ is on its way.
Paul
Roar Guru
I thought the forwards were quiet overall, yet when it mattered made lots of easy yards down field. Example, Qld scored soon after half time and I thought NSW would really battle to get down the other end. Within a couple of sets, they'd easily taken play down field for a try and backed it up soon after for Turbos try. It was the ease they made yards which was impressive. I think Freddy worked long and hard on the NSW defence but hasn't quite got the right patterns for the forwards in attack. I'm also not sure the forwards understand the type of mongrel they have to have when making a hit up. Klemmer does, but these other guys will learn this is what they need to do at SOO level. I was also confused about who was leading the team around the park. Cleary had a safe game but didn't inspire as a leader whereas Maloney seemed to take charge, but was obviously a lot more risky. I think Cook could show more direction out of dummy half and take on the line a lot more before passing, similar to what Smith did in game 3 last year. Hopefully this will happen in game 2, now he knows he's good enough to lay well at this level.
Remo Shankar
Roar Pro
Improvement can come from Cleary. Great debut from him, but he has another gear in him, and also Peachey was only used for a handful of minutes at the end.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Dugan would have sustained an injury after receiving that palm from inglis. should never play origin..
Emcie
Roar Guru
The original diagnosis was around round 14 (at the earliest). I wouldn't say he's a lock in, he's just a chance of coming back
Nat
Roar Guru
That's just Jet to a tee. He'll do nothing until something brilliant and that's why you have him. That said, not easy against a fired up Inglis.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Well playing him with Cronk and Friend doesn’t seem to be working...?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Didn’t realise about Gillett. Will he get any club games in before game 2? Big call coming back from a broken neck anyway, doubly so in an Origin.
Emcie
Roar Guru
What's that? Only pick him three times a year and surround him with the best players in the state? ;)