State of Origin 2016: NSW show promise but Queensland’s experience puts them in front

THIS State of Origin series isn’t over yet. But here, in case you forgot, Blues fans, are the cold hard facts that hurt the most.

THIS series isn’t over yet. But here, in case you forgot, Blues fans, are the cold hard facts that hurt the most.

Of the previous 34 State of Origin series, the winner from game one has gone on to triumph on 25 occasions. So NSW were the better team for most of Wednesday night.

Even Kevvie Walters agreed Queensland got the rub of the green with the contentious calls.

Laurie Daley in turn said he doesn’t want the same match officials in charge for Game Two.

Cooper Cronk celebrates a hard-fought victory for Queensland.

But one thing that no one can change is the fact the clash on June 22 will be played at Suncorp Stadium, the home of the Maroons.

That’s one down for NSW, one up for Queensland. And remember, on 25 occasions the winner from game one has gone on to win the series.

As far as Origins go, Wednesday night won’t go down as one of the classics. It was tough, fierce, bruising. But not a classic.

But could the result be more crucial for NSW’s hopes this series?

Matt Moylan was wonderful for the most part. Yes, he made some nervous errors but that reflected his inexperience at Origin. Remember, it was his debut. He deserves another chance.

A disappointed Adam Reynolds did plenty in his Origin debut.

James Maloney showed us why Laurie Daley pulled the right rein there. Ditto Adam Reynolds. In his first game in the NSW jumper the little South Sydney halfback proved he is in this for the long haul.

As Daley said after the game, it is going to take time for this spine to gel and they need to be given that time.

And the NSW forwards should hold their heads high. Cordner, Fifita, Klemmer. All went into the game with some questions marks over their selection but they earned their spots for Origin II.

And the team overall that Daley selected could hardly be criticised. On so many occasions the Blues had it all over the Maroons. Except when it mattered most.

Matt Moylan showed he was ready for the step up to Origin.

They out-powered the Maroons, out-muscled them and out-enthused them, for the most part. But Queensland, like the champion team they are, refused to surrender. They refused to give up on each other. They looked gone on so many occasions, out on their feet, but somehow they got themselves a 6-4 win, at Sydney’s home.

Leading into half-time, and at the sound of the final siren. The six minutes counting down to half-time unfolded like it was in slow motion. Up until that point the Blues had been the better team for most of the opening 40 minutes.

They were up only 4-2 on the scoreboard. Winning the arm wrestle with a brutal mix of aggression and power. And with six to go in the first half Queensland were attempting to work the ball off their own tryline and they looked gone.

Their forwards were out on their feet. The champion halves looking their age. They had no momentum, NSW a mountain of possession.

Then, in the space three minutes, it changed. The genius of Johnathan Thurston sprinkled his magic dust. Running the ball on the last tackle, Thurston held the ball up just long enough to put Boyd Cordner in two minds and with that it went through the hands. To Darius Boyd to Justin O’Neill, Dane Gagai in the corner.

For Queensland, there was Thurston — again.

Boyd was brilliant.

From 4-2 and seemingly on the ropes the Queenslanders went to the break up 6-4. Still nothing in it though it but it was a mighty momentum swing.

Then the second 40 minutes was just a grind. From one end to the field to the other, both teams gave it everything they had, but in the end there could only be one winner.

Experience got Queensland home. And the genius of Thurston. The brilliance of Boyd. The commitment to each other.

This is a champion team of champion players.

NSW are a lot closer then they were at the end of last year when they finished behind 52-6 on the scoreboard. If only the next game was in Sydney.

In his first game as the coach Walters walked out of ANZ Stadium a winner. For Laurie Daley, now in his fourth series as coach, we can only wish him luck for the return bout at Suncorp.

Remember, of the previous 34 Origin series, the winner from game one has gone on to win on 25 occasions. Advantage Queensland. Again.