Chambers and Kaufusi’s big shifts: five things we learned from QLD’s Game I win

Last night’s glorious win was all about Gagai, Munster and Ponga. But it’s the emergence of a new QLD pack leader that should have NSW quaking.

From bombed tries to bunker blues and everything in between, Queensland’s Game I win over New South Wales had it all.

Now, as the dust settles on a 18-14 victory to the Maroons, let’s look past the emotion and see what we learned about our Maroons – and whether a new dynasty really is beginning.

Will Chambers was over Latrell Mitchell like a bad rash in Game I. Picture: Adam Head

1. CHAMBERS EXORCISES MITCHELL DEMONS

The night was supposed to about Latrell Mitchell having the wood over Will Chambers, but the 31-year-old Queenslander made the Roosters superstar look like a passenger.

It wasn’t a perfect game from Chambers by any means with poor decision making hurting the Maroons chances in the first half.

But the Storm centre did do one thing he simply couldn’t last year — contain Latrell.

Player ratings: Latrell Mitchell fails to fire a shot in Game One

The 21-year-old Rooster who so terrorised Chambers last year managed just 76 metres at Suncorp Stadium last night and looked deflated by his rival’s eager defence.

After being schooled by Mitchell in both Origin and the NRL grand final, it seems Chambers has finally shaken both critics or his rep credentials and the demons of 2018.

Felise Kaufusi channeled the crazy-haired spirit of Sam Thaiday in a superhuman Game I effort for Queensland. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

2. NEW PACK LEADER RISES FOR MAROONS

While we’re on the Storm front, let’s cast an eye over the forgotten man in Queensland’s win — Felise Kaufusi.

Gagai was the star, Munster the general and Ponga the threat but Kaufusi’s 80-minute shift was the kind that inspires an Origin win.

NSW props David Klemmer and Paul Vaughan got the visitors off to a flyer with Tyson Frizell and Jake Trobojevic adding their bulk to the cause.

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But as Queensland’s forwards ebbed and flowed, Kaufusi was non-stop from start to finish.

The Tongan Tornado ripped into the Blues without and without the ball to produce 119m and 30 tackles.

Only Josh Papalii (128m) bested him in the Maroons pack for metres gained and while Ben Hunt, Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire made more hits, none of those players could match Kaufusi’s physical workload across the paddock from start to finish.

Cameron Murray (left) and Damien Cook (centre) remain a serious threat to Queensland’s chances of sealing the series in Perth. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

3. COOK-MURRAY COMBINATION A WORRY

Yes, we got up. Yes, it was a bloody good win. But geez, Damien Cook makes us Queenslanders nervous.

The South Sydney star dangerous yet again in blue and demonstrated his uncanny ability to pinpoint when the ruck defence is weakest.

Cook’s twinkle toes made a mockery of Maroons markers more than once with six tackle breaks and two line breaks proving he’ll be a man to watch out for again in Perth.

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But Queensland should take extra notice of his combination with Rabbitohs club mate, NSW debutant Cameron Murray.

The 21-year-old was among the Blues best, showing up some of the elder statesmen at times and using quick recycle to great effect in broken play, allowing Cook to scamper around, and the Maroons will need to keep an eye on him come Game II.

Ben Hunt’s solid game lacked a little polish but certainly warrants selection in Game II. Picture: Adam Head

4. DUMMY HALF HUNT DESERVES ANOTHER GO

Ben Hunt’s shift to hooker was a big selection shake-up but fans should be pleased with how the former Bronco performed.

After a relatively quiet first half in attack, Hunt began to probe the ruck area and was rewarded with a handy 61m haul from five runs.

His enormous effort in defence — 49 tackles — is also noteworthy and perhaps contributed to some poor passing, particularly towards the end of the game.

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The usually reliable Hunt grassed three long passes and lacked imagination from dummy half at times.

But there was enough in his performance to warrant selection in Perth and Hunt’s big-game experience will see him deservedly don the famous No.9 again.

Dylan Napa’s no-try could have easily come back to haunt the Maroons were it not for a blistering second half. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

5. MAROONS CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS OUT ON POINTS

Doesn’t matter which way you slice it, Queensland left a lot of points out there.

That’s not a dig at NSW either, who dominated patches of the game and had their chances.

But Oates first foot in touch and Dylan Napa’s failure to ground a Munster grubber are the kinds of moments that can come back to haunt you at Origin level.

Victorious Maroons coach Kevin Walters not satisfied yet

In fairness, the Blues their missed their chances as well (thank you Cam Munster’s go-go gadget arm) but Brad Fittler will have his men primed for an all-out assault at Perth.

Ponga’s boot will be more important than ever and while the wunderkind knocked over three from four with a sideline miss his only blip, those moments off the tee will become even more important.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (left) might not have liked the result of State of Origin, but he loved The Courier-Mail's front page.

Originally published as Chambers and Kaufusi’s big shifts: five things we learned from QLD’s Game I win