Making Cameron Munster captain and Tom Dearden halfback masterstrokes by Qld coach Billy Slater

Some called it panic after Queensland lost the opening State of Origin game, but coach Billy Slater’s one big move has breathed life into the Maroons.

Victorious Queensland coach Billy Slater lauded star skipper Cameron Munster as a born leader and the best man to help the Maroons create history after his starring role in Wednesday’s State or Origin epic.

Slater made a series of key decisions in the aftermath of the opening game loss to NSW at Suncorp Stadium.

But overlooking two club captains in his squad when replacing Daly Cherry-Evans as skipper to appoint Munster proved a masterstroke, with the playmaking maestro delivering a try in a third man-of-the-match performance that put him up there with Origin greats.

Munster also combined seamlessly with Cherry-Evans’ replacement in the No.7 jersey, Tom Dearden, who also earnt high praise from both his coach and his captain for a stunning first effort as the Maroons held on to win 26-24 in Perth.

Cameron Munster led the way for Queensland. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

A former teammate of Munster at both Melbourne Storm and for Queensland, Slater said Munster, a lively character who has matured beyond all expectations from the larrikin he once was, had long shown his leadership at the elite level, and it was time to tap into it.

“Even without being the captain, Cameron Munster has really led this footy team,” Slater said.

“He led it as a kid, and I was still playing.

“In 2017, game 3, he led it with his actions, and that’s what he did again (on Wednesday night).

“He’s just got the ‘C’ next to his name now, and he has to go and flick the coin and make decisions on captains’ challenges and all that sort of stuff.

“But he’s been a leader right from the start … it’s a pleasure to have him in this footy team.”

Slater didn’t want to talk vindication about his decision to go with Dearden over Cherry-Evans but said the replacement showed he belonged.

“You won’t get a negative word out of me on Daly – it’s Tom’s time and he didn’t surprise anyone with what he put out there tonight,” he said.

“That’s the first time he’s worn the No.7 jersey for Queensland, I wouldn’t imagine it will be the last.”

Tom Dearden took the Blues on. Picture: Colin Murty / AFP

Having never won an Origin game in Perth, Queensland’s victory has set up a series decider in Sydney and the chance for Slater’s team to create history by winning back-to-back away games to seal what would be a famous series win.

“What an opportunity,” he said.

“I don’t think we’ve ever won a series being 1-0 down and have to travel and travel again.

“What an opportunity it is for this team to have to go to Sydney to wrap up the series.

“It’s not easy. This game is hard. I’m sure NSW will be ready to go in game 3.

“I’m looking forward to getting into preparation for it.

“They get that opportunity (to make history).”