Magic Maroons: Brave Queensland wins State of Origin opener 26-18

The Maroons spirit was on full display at the Adelaide Oval in one of Queensland’s finest victories in Origin’s 43-year history.

The Maroons are on the brink of winning back-to-back Origin series, after claiming victory in Game I at Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images.

Billy Slater is on the brink of guiding Queensland to back-to-back Origin series victories after the battered Maroons produced a miraculous 26-18 win against the Blues in Adelaide.

Maroons prop Tom Flegler was sin-binned while Tom Gilbert (shoulder), Selwyn Cobbo (leg) and Murray Taulagi (head knock) failed to finish a brutal series-opener at the Adelaide Oval.

But the famous Maroons spirit was on display before 48,613 at the Adelaide Oval in one of Queensland’s finest victories in Origin’s 43-year history.

After winning his debut series as coach last year, Slater’s Maroons are in the box seat to clinch back-to-back series at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on June 21.

The winner of Game One has won 30 of 41 three-game series since 1982, including the past three, and Queensland has earned the opportunity to wrap it up on home turf.

“I had to think back to the message before the game – we needed to play like Queenslanders for Queenslanders,” Slater said.

The Maroons are on the brink of winning back-to-back Origin series, after claiming victory in Game I at Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images.

“Queenslanders never give up. I had to listen to my own advice.

“It was a huge effort. To go down to 12-men in the last 10-minte period and be down on the scoreboard…we went after the game and some players made some big plays.

“It was a tough game. We didn’t play overly smart at times, but there is a lot of guts, determination and courage in this footy team.

“This is an almighty win and the people of Queensland will be very proud of their team.”

MAROON MADNESS

This was one of Queensland’s most courageous performances.

The Maroons burst out to a 10-0 lead inside 12 minutes following tries to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo, who finished with a double, but the joy quickly ended.

Gilbert left the field inside 20 minutes with a dislocated shoulder and the Maroons were forced to defend for most of the first half.

Queensland only had 43 per cent of possession and spent most of the opening half defending their line stoically, winger Taulagi saving two certain tries.

They managed to hang on to a 10-6 lead at the break but couldn’t stop a rampant NSW as Stephen Crichton gave the Blues an 18-16 lead in the 67th minute.

When Flegler was marched with 11 minutes to go for a high shot on Tom Trbojevic, the Maroons looked gone. But they never are.

Tabuai-Fidow snatched his second and Cameron Munster iced a memorable victory in the 77th minute following a remarkable play by prop Lindsay Collins.

Late starter Reuben Cotter clinched his first man-of-the-match award for Queensland after making 37 tackles in an 80-minute performance while Pat Carrigan continued his Origin dominance with 16 runs for 123m.

Bring on Suncorp.

BILLY’S BRAVERY VINDICATED

Slater was accused of abandoning Queensland’s famed loyalty selection policy when he axed incumbents Dane Gagai and Kalyn Ponga – but it was the right decision.

NSW promised to target Ponga’s fullback replacement Reece Walsh and it took just three minutes for the Maroons debutant to be tested when he was monstered by a swarm of Blues.

The contest prompted a melee to erupt after Josh Addo-Carr planted an elbow into Walsh but the Queensland youngster held his own and was faultless at the back.

Gagai’s replacement Tabuai-Fidow exposed rival centre Trbojevic with his speed to open scoring for the Maroons after just seven minutes.

He then bamboozled James Tedesco to clinch victory and set the series up for Queensland.

Billy Slater has been vindicated, after being accused of abandoning Queensland’s famed ‘loyalty policy’. Picture: Getty Images.

“They’re really tough decisions to make and I don’t make them lightly,” Slater said.

“I make them for the right reasons. I played footy with Dane and have a great relationship with him.

“They’re not easy decisions to make but they’re made for the right reasons. It didn’t surprise me how Hammer played tonight.

“The young lad at fullback (Walsh) has so much substance to his game outside the highlights.

“We all love watching Reece Walsh pull the trigger on a pass or his blistering speed. But he’s building the foundation that will hold him in good stead for a long time.

“He’s a quality player and good young man with a good future ahead of him.”.

SUBSTITUTION SHAMBLES

The Maroons could face some heat after they were caught with 14-men on the field.

When Gilbert succumbed to a shoulder, bench prop Lindsay Collins entered play before Gilbert had left the field.

Collins took a carry and the Maroons were penalised for having an extra man, swinging momentum and putting them under pressure which allowed NSW to strike back through Liam Martin.

It’s unlikely Queensland will be stripped of the win but the incident will be investigated to find out who was at fault.