State of Origin 1: Maroons edge Blues 6-4 to clinch series opener

KEVIN Walters lauded the spirit of his champion team after the Maroons defended like demons to honour their record-breaking skipper Cameron Smith.

Maroons winger Dane Gagai charges into the Blues defence.

QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters lauded the spirit of his champion team after the Maroons defended like demons to honour their record-breaking skipper Cameron Smith.

Any concerns about the Maroons’ ability to fire without super coach Mal Meninga were emphatically answered by a Queensland team built on brotherly bonds.

Talent and tactics do not win Origin games. Mateship and mental fortitude does and when the Maroons were under the pump at Homebush they reverted to a simple but potent elixir - playing for each other.

Dane Gagai celebrates his try for the Maroons. Picture: Mark Evans

It was a momentous night on several fronts for the Maroons. They not only delivered for Walters in his maiden game in charge but also skipper Cameron Smith, who broke Darren Lockyer’s Origin record with his 37th appearance.

Underfire Maroons prop Nate Myles answered his critics with another heroic display, while Corey Oates and Justin O’Neill produced flawless performances in their Origin debuts.

But Smith personified the Maroons’ defensive spirit, producing a game-high 49 tackles as Queensland amassed 314 in total to keep NSW scoreless for the final 55 minutes.

Walters won six premierships as a player and throughout the week he has maintained the calm exterior of a man who has an innate belief in his ablity to uphold Meninga’s legacy.

“I’m so happy for this group of players. They keep getting thrown challenges and coming up with a win. As a Queensland person, it’s a privilege to work with these guys,” Walters said.

“We did get some nice calls, some favourable calls and you do need a bit of luck at this level. But you make your own luck too, all of those 50-50 calls certainly went Queensland’s way.”

Darius Boyd was sublime for the Maroons. Picture: Gregg Porteous

The brutality of the contest was underscored in the 50th minute when Michael Morgan was steamrolled by David Klemmer and failed to return for the final 30 minutes.

But amid the carnage, Smith was stoic. He walked into the press conference holding a can of WD-40, then joked it was keeping his ageing limbs as smooth as Queensland’s backline.

“Just greasing the joints boys,” he said with a laugh before lauding his troops’ spirit.

“We knew we had a fairly strong game plan. They ran the footy at us, NSW didn’t mind taking the line on but that’s what we built our success on, our defence.

“We showed a lot of effort for each other. Corey Oates and Justin O’Neill were great in their debuts, I’m very pleased for those boys.”

Sam Thaiday charges into the Blues defence at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Of his new Origin record, Smith said: “It is very special. I am very honoured to go past ‘Locky’. He was one of my heroes growing up and I’m lucky to have that milestone.”

While Smith was the defensive pulse, fullback Darius Boyd was the offensive spearhead, producing five tackle-busts and helping create the match-winner for Dane Gagai.

“Darius was fantastic, he showed the class of fullback he is,” Smith said.

“We didn’t ask Darius to be Billy (Slater), but there was a void to be filled and he’s been a very good fullback for a long time. He had the opportunity to show what he’s got and he was one of our better players.”

Cam Smith runs the ball for the Maroons. Picture: Peter Wallis

NSW coach Laurie Daley lamented his side inability to land the knockout punch after the Maroons repelled wave after wave of attack.

“It’s disappointing, we would have loved to have won but it wasn’t to be,” Daley said.

“Our attack could improve but the effort was sensational. It was a dour game.

“It’s tough to go to Queensland to win but we have to go up there and prepare well.”

QUEENSLAND 6 (D Gagai try J Thurston goal) bt NEW SOUTH WALES 4 (B Cordner try) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton, Ben Cummins. Crowd: 80,251.