Origin I: Pressure turns to Maroons after 14-6 loss to Blues at ANZ Stadium

MAL Meninga is under pressure to wield the axe after NSW's forwards won a battle of wills to leave Queensland's Origin dynasty hanging by a thread.

MAROONS coach Mal Meninga is under pressure to wield the axe after NSW's forwards won a battle of wills to leave Queensland's Origin dynasty hanging by a thread last night.

A NSW uprising is looming with rugged skipper Paul Gallen declaring the Blues were sick of "being bullied" after their 14-6 defeat of a lacklustre Queensland in Origin I.

Driven by the coolness of rookie coach Laurie Daley, the resurgent Blues will clinch their first Origin crown since 2005 if they overcome the Maroons in the return bout at Suncorp Stadium on June 26.

The pressure is on Queensland, who face a rare inquisition and must consider possible changes, after staggering out of the blocks in the series opener at ANZ Stadium.

MATCH CENTRE: Stats and game information from Origin I

The Maroons were criticised for stocking their bench with four back-rowers, but Corey Parker, Ben Te'o, Matt Gillett and debutant Chris McQueen were far from disgraced.

Cameron Smith

Crafty playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans will come into contention for the June 26 rematch at Suncorp Stadium and Meninga may also issue an SOS for injured prop Ben Hannant, whose workrate off the bench was sorely missed.

Just one Maroons forward, Nate Myles, amassed more than 100m against the ravenous Blues pack.

"We were out-enthused early," Meninga said.

"We hung in well and our second half was good, but we got beaten to the punch at the start.

"We have a bit of work to do and we need to fix that for Game Two."

Paul Gallen

Former Maroons skipper Gorden Tallis praised the effort of the Queensland bench, but said Meninga might consider a slight tweak, suggesting Cherry-Evans and Hannant.

"NSW's forwards pretty much dominated the game and allowed NSW to play that upbeat game," Tallis said.

"But Mal is pretty solid and they have done the job for the past seven years."

Of his forward rotation, Meninga said: "I was happy with the bench, I thought they were incisive for us. Corey Parker created some second phase, Ben Te'o's first effort was excellent and Chris McQueen had an outstanding game on debut."

The Blues bolted out of the blocks, surging to a 14-0 halftime lead after tries to Jarryd Hayne and Michael Jennings.

The Maroons stabilised after the break, but were left to lament a groin injury that hampered star pivot Johnathan Thurston. Betting support for NSW this week to make them favourites on speculation that Thurston was not fit proved prescient.

"That's the risk you take at times, he is such a valuable player," Meninga said.

"We gave him every opportunity to be fit, but he struggled a bit with the injury. Hopefully he'll be OK for the next game."

Queensland's supreme kicking game did not have the usual penetration nor accuracy.

Smith, sensing the desperation of the deficit, illegally reached out for the line after a tackle by Hayne in the 48th minute and was denied a four-pointer for double movement.

Jarryd Hayne

As frustration grew Smith complained to referee Ashley Klein about the performance of the other whistleblower Shayne Hayne.

"We will give you a good 10m, but Shayne is making us go back 12m," Smith said.

NEW SOUTH WALES 14 (J Hayne M Jennings tries J Maloney 3 goals) bt QUEENSLAND 6 (D Boyd try C Smith goal) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Shayne Hayne, Ashley Klein. Crowd: 80,380.

Paul Gallen