State of Origin 2018 match report: NSW v Queensland at MCG
NSW have drawn first blood in State of Origin 2018 and started a bold new era, with the new-look Blues claiming a decisive 22-12 win over Queensland in game one at the MCG.
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THEY are the 11 from heaven.
Freddy’s whipper snappers who can take NSW into a glorious and golden new era.
The baby Blues started their march toward history with decisive 22-12 win over Queensland in State of Origin I at the MCG.
Before a bumper crowd of 87,122, NSW went one-up through the composure of their 11 debutants.
Led by a scintillating performance from NSW fullback James Tedesco, NSW scored four tries to leave Queensland’s dynasty on life support.
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Australian band Peking Duk played before the game. Maybe they should have also dished up a serving of humble pie for arrogant Queensland.
NSW will now aim to seal the series in front of their home crowd at ANZ Stadium on June 24.
Victory can be directed squarely at the unconventional selection policy of Blues coach Brad Fittler.
He threw away the loyal veterans and picked an excited bunch of kids who did NSW proud.
Three of them — Josh Addo-Carr, Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell — scored.
“They (the rookies) were fantastic,” Fittler said. “They are the future of the game. They nailed their first big opportunity. I’m very excited for them.
“I felt like we were going to win this game.”
A new dawn has arrived for the Blues, who made just one handling error all game.
“All the boys on debut dug deep,” said Tedesco, the official man of the match. “It’s an awesome feeling.”
Despite running on to The G’ to mostly jeers, a raucous chant of “New South Wales, New South Wales” echoed around the ground near full-time.
Queensland found out first-hand what life is about without Cam Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk. Try as they did, the Maroons lacked the guile to win in the clutch moments.
The Maroons have manipulated, embarrassed, crushed and shamed the Blues over the years. There should be no sympathy for them now.
Last night only reinforced that State of Origin is without doubt the greatest sporting event on the Australian sporting calendar.
“It was full on out there,” NSW halfback Nathan Cleary said. “The game was non-stop. To win is a dream come true.”
Cleary’s father, Ivan, told Channel 9: “It is hard to explain — I am so proud and so glad they won.”
NSW started the match as the shortest priced favourites ($1.40) since 1999, according to the TAB. They didn’t let the punters down. And wasn’t it marvellous with only five penalties awarded.
“It was impressive and pleasing,” James Maloney said. The young blokes all handled the occasion.”
Both sides scored a try each in the opening half, NSW heading into the break ahead 8-6.
Inside the opening 15 minutes, both sides enjoyed some significant field position. Queensland pushed hard for the opening try before NSW retaliated.
The young Blues settled nicely early with Nathan Cleary playing with confidence and time. Blues winger Josh Addo-Carr twice cut Queensland open in the first 20 minutes. Forward Tyson Frizell looked powerful on the NSW right edge.
Finally, the nil-all deadlock was broken through a penalty goal to NSW five-eighth James Maloney.
And in the 22nd minute, NSW kicked away through a lovely try to Tedesco.
Blues hooker Damien Cook, who was amazing, used his electric speed from dummy half to cut a hole in a tiring Maroons ruck before linking with Maloney, who then sent Tedesco on his way to the tryline.
It was a beautifully worked try and sent the NSW fans into raptures. Maloney’s conversion gave NSW an 8-0 lead.
“It was great to get the win,” said NSW hooker Damien Cook. “I want to soak it all up.”
A scuffle broke out in the 27th minute when Queensland skipper Greg Inglis poleaxed Tom Trbojevic.
Inglis then landed a forearm on Trbojevic’s head, and players rushed in from both sides. NSW were awarded a penalty. There was another flare-up on halftime.
The Blues’ scoreboard dominance soon came to an end. A Maloney pass was snatched by Valentine Holmes, who ran 85 metres to score untouched.
NSW had a clear overlap. Had the pass missed Holmes, NSW would have scored out wide. It was a winner-take-all play.
It was a try Queensland desperately needed. Holmes, who ran for 172m last night, converted his own try to reduce NSW’s lead to just two points.
Queensland then hit the front for the first time three minutes into the second half through a neat try to winger Dane Gagai off an inch-perfect kick from Ben Hunt. Holmes converted for a 12-8 lead.
But five minutes later NSW centre Latrell Mitchell crashed over to score despite protests of obstruction and the scores were locked 12-all.
Three minutes later, and on the back of another Tedesco break, Maloney kicked for winger Tom Trbojevic, who leapt high, secured the ball ahead of Holmes, and scored.
A try to winger Josh Addo-Carr in the 69th minute sealed the memorable victory.
Inglis, who was ultra-impressive last night, called his team into a huddle at full-time.
“The little things cost us in the end,” Inglis said. “State of Origin is about the key moments and we didn’t capitalise on them. I thought our effort was outstanding.”