State of Origin 2024: Queensland Maroons win 38-10 over NSW Blues

Billy Slater’s Maroons marauders are one win away from a hat-trick of Origin titles after Daly Cherry-Evans and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow torched the Blues at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow celebrates scoring a try with his Maroons teammates. Picture: Getty Images

Speed machine Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow celebrated a sizzling hat-trick as the braveheart Maroons overcame the loss of Reece Walsh to thump the Blues 38-10 and draw first blood in the series opener.

Billy Slater’s Maroons marauders are one win away from a hat-trick of Origin titles after the class of skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and the pace of Tabuai-Fidow torched the Blues at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

In a typical blood-and-thunder Origin contest, the 2024 opener exploded when NSW debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sensationally sent off in the eighth minute for a high shot on Maroons superstar Walsh.

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Walsh left the field in a daze, but in his absence, the Maroons found a slew of heroes, none better than DCE, the ‘Hammer’, Pat Carrigan and Ben Hunt as they outhustled and outfoxed the bumbling Blues.

Man-of-the-match Cherry-Evans orchestrated Queensland’s biggest ever win in Sydney and super coach Slater can seal a Maroons three-peat with victory in Game Two at the MCG on June 26.

“I am always proud of this footy team, the way they carry themselves is a credit as leaders of the state,” Slater said.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow celebrates a try with his Maroons teammates. Picture: Getty Images

Walsh left the field in a daze, but in his absence, the Maroons found a slew of heroes, none better than DCE, the ‘Hammer’, Pat Carrigan and Ben Hunt as they outhustled and outfoxed the bumbling Blues.

Man-of-the-match Cherry-Evans orchestrated Queensland’s biggest ever win in Sydney and super coach Slater can seal a Maroons three-peat with victory at the MCG on June 26.

CHERRY RIPE

At 35, Cherry-Evans is ageing like a fine wine.

This match hinged on the halfback contest between 23-game Origin veteran Cherry-Evans and NSW rookie Nicho Hynes and the Maroons skipper emerged with a knockout victory.

Cherry-Evans was always in control, nailing a crucial 54th-minute 40-20 kick before taking an intercept and kicking ahead for Xavier Coates to touch down and complete a superb 80-metre try eight minutes from time.

“His commitment was first class,” Slater said.

“He is smart, great in his position and that’s why he is our leader.”

Daly Cherry-Evans was at his classy best for the Maroons. Picture: Getty Images

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ON THE HUNT

Hunt is Queensland’s Origin treasure.

As if his heroics in the 2022 Suncorp decider weren’t special enough, the nuggety hooker returned again to haunt NSW with one of the greatest solo tries in Origin history.

With NSW still in the game at 20-10, Hunt charged out of dummy-half and shrugged off three Blues in a 50-metre sprint to the line to nail the coffin shut 13 minutes from time.

“Hunty just typifies the Queensland spirit,” Slater said.

“He is a real competitor, he is always in the game. We are fortunate to have a guy of Ben’s quality.”

Ben Hunt is Queensland’s State of Origin treasure. Picture: NRL Photos

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HAMMER TIME

How good is Queensland’s depth when they can replace a concussed Walsh with the Hammer.

Moving from centre to fullback, Tabuai-Fidow had NSW choking on his vapor trail as he burned the Blues with his acceleration, awareness and attacking intent.

HTF had a double inside 24 minutes and it was fitting he should seal the contest 60 seconds from time with a hat-trick to complement his 181 metres and three tackle busts.

“Hammer was great slipping into the fullback position,” Slater said. “The team has adapted to adversity the last three years.”

Maroons star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow burned the Blues. Picture: Getty Images

WALSH WALLOPED

The NRL’s protocol on HIAs needs an overhaul following the firestorm that saw Suaalii dismissed for clobbering Walsh.

Queensland’s structures were thrown into disarray when Walsh was assisted from the field, but the NRL process that followed exposed a major flaw in the HIA system.

The independent bunker doctor ruled Walsh had suffered a category one head knock, instantly ruling him out of the game. But Walsh later passed his HIA and would have been permitted to return to the field if not for the bunker medico’s initial diagnosis.

It’s a farcial process and it robbed the Maroons of their most lethal attacking player.

SUPER SELWYN

By his own admission, coach Slater admitted there were “risks” associated with picking Selwyn Cobbo, but he was emphatically vindicated when Walsh was forced off after just eight minutes.

Enter Cobbo. Enter the big-game magician.

For the fifth time in seven Origin games, Queensland lost an outside back, but in Cobbo, Slater had a 105kg gift-wrapped replacement who slotted in seamlessly to keep the ruthless Maroons juggernaut rolling.

Cobbo needed just 16 minutes to wreak havoc. With Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow shifting to fullback to replace Walsh, Cobbo was parachuted into the centres and he capitalised on Suaalii’s vacancy by ripping the Blues apart on the left edge.

Selwyn Cobbo makes a break for Queensland. Picture: NRL Photos

With one of his first touches, he released winger Murray Taulagi for Tabuai-Fidow to cross in the 19th minute to give the visitors a 14-6 lead.

And when Cobbo pushed off two Blues five minutes later to again find Taulagi, who raced away to put the ‘Hammer’ over for his second try in almost identical circumstances, NSW were in tatters at 20-6.

Cobbo (141m and nine tackle busts) then continued his rampage after the break, producing a brilliant surge in the lead-up to Hunt’s try.

For years, Queensland built wins on heart and bravery. This time, they buried the Blues with speed and strikepower. The hat-trick awaits.

Originally published as State of Origin 2024: Queensland Maroons win 38-10 over NSW Blues