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State of Origin 2018 Game 1 live coverage: Queensland vs NSW at the MCG

A huge effort from James Tedesco has helped NSW to victory, the Blues taking a 1-0 series advantage at the MCG.

Brent Read and Adrian McMurray
21 min read
3:40PMJune 06, 2018.
Updated 7:59AMJune 07, 2018
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Blues players celebrate a James Tedesco try. Picture: AAP
Blues players celebrate a James Tedesco try. Picture: AAP

New South Wales has won the opening game of the 2018 State of Origin series 22-12 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. See how it all unfolded below.

Chip Le Grand 11.30pm: Blues win a real steal

How do you steal an Origin match? If you are a golden-haired footballing prodigy named Tom Trbojevic, one try at a time.

When a high kick landed into the outstretched arms of Valentine Holmes, the Queensland winger thought he had it covered. He had played with dash and skill. He had scored a dramatic, length-of-the-field try. More to the point, he had the ball in his hands. Only Trbojevic had other ideas. Read the full story here

Adrian McMurray 11.26pm: Cook, Inglis among best at MCG

While Tedesco took man-of-the-match honours, Inglis was immense in his first game as captain, while Cook was huge for NSW on debut. How did each player perform? Check out the player ratings.

Damien Cook in action in game one. Picture: AAP
Damien Cook in action in game one. Picture: AAP

Adrian McMurray 10.58pm: Special moment for Cleary family

Nathan Cleary’s father, Wests Tigers coach Ivan, was on hand to watch his son’s Origin debut and the pair embraced after full time. The NSW No 7 was composed throughout and proved to be an excellent foil to Panthers teammate and halves partner James Maloney. Cleary finished with 377 kick metres and made 25 tackles.

Nathan Cleary congratulated by his father Ivan Cleary. Picture: Getty Images
Nathan Cleary congratulated by his father Ivan Cleary. Picture: Getty Images

Brent Read 10.28pm: View from the MCG

With two minutes remaining, the New South Wales chant went up. More than 87,000 fans crammed into the MCG last night for the opening game of the State of Origin series and large chunks of them appeared to be in maroon.

In the dying embers of the game, Blues supporters were the only ones with something to cheer about.

NSW players celebrate their victory. Picture: AAP
NSW players celebrate their victory. Picture: AAP

The Baby Blues and coach Brad Fittler lived up the billing as they won Origin I 22-12. Queensland will need to win at ANZ Stadium on June 24 if they are to retain the Origin shield. On last night’s evidence, they have their hands full.

For much of the second half they looked the better side but when James Tedesco got half a chance, he took it and the game was over. The Sydney Roosters fullback edged Tom Trbojevic to the No 1 jersey and he vindicated his selection with a barnstorming display. Tedesco ran for more than 200m, had two line breaks and two try assists, the second breaking the back of Queensland its 11 minutes remaining.

Tedesco darted out of dummy half and beat six defenders before off-loading to Reagan Campbell-Gillard. He found Maloney and in turn Josh Addo-Carr as the Melbourne winger dived over in the corner.

Queensland custodian Billy Slater, ruled out of Origin I on Monday with injury, announced he would retire from representative football at the end of the Origin series. His Australian jersey will be up for grabs at the end of the year. Tedesco can start sizing himself up for a green and gold jersey if last night is any indication. Before then, he has an Origin series to win.

After all the talk about NSW’s 11 debutants, it was two of the players who had tasted this arena before who orchestrated the win.

Tedesco was the named man of the match, but his performance was matched by Maloney. The Blues pivot had talked about last night being make or break for his Origin career. The only thing he broke was Queensland’s resistance. The dynasty is on the verge of being destroyed, the Blues seizing control of last night’s game with a brilliant second half.

Nathan Cleary and Greg Inglis. Picture: Adam Head
Nathan Cleary and Greg Inglis. Picture: Adam Head

The Maroons trailed by two points at halftime but they made a flying start to the second half after another error from Maloney. The NSW No 6 had been responsible for an errant pass which presented Queensland with a try on a platter in the first half.

Three minutes after the break, he threw the ball forward on the last tackle and gifted the Maroons possession. Maloney attempted to atone for his error when he chopped down Will Chambers short of the line.

But there was nothing he could do moments later as Ben Hunt put through a short kick and Dane Gagai did the rest. The Maroons winger had come into the game under a fitness cloud after dislocating his finger at Queensland’s final training session.

He then underwent a fitness test in the dressing room prior to kick off. There was nothing wrong with his grip on the ball as he swooped on Hunt’s kick. Queensland were in the ascendancy.

Gagai turned from hero to villain within minutes, albeit after a contentious refereeing decision. The match officials had been under the spotlight leading into the game but they had largely been anonymous until Gagai was ruled to have lost the ball, replays suggesting the ball had been helped out by Blues backrower Angus Crichton.

The Blues took advantage of their good fortune when they went wide and Latrell Mitchell forced his way over. They weren’t finished there. Maloney had been rocks and diamonds but he came up with a gem of a kick 11 minutes into the second half when he put up a bomb.

Tom Trbojevic did the rest, flying high and ripping the ball out of the grasp of Holmes to give the Blues the lead. The momentum had swung back to the Blues.

Tom Trbojevic beats Valentine Holmes to the ball. Picture: Getty Images
Tom Trbojevic beats Valentine Holmes to the ball. Picture: Getty Images

Greg Inglis tried to lift his side. He hit Trbojevic with a massive shot in the first half but was penalised for being offside. He left his mark on Nathan Cleary midway through the second half. This time it was legal. It was to no avail. The Blues showed no signs of slowing down as they took the lead in the series.

Australian band Peking Duk provided the entertainment beforehand but it was the Maroons who looked cooked for most of the first half.

The first chance fell to Queensland but they got in each other’s way and it was gone. Then it was NSW’s turn to take the ascendancy, Tedesco igniting an attack which prompted nearly 10 minutes of Blues dominance.

It took a penalty to halt the momentum, Dylan Napa infringing in front of his posts. Maloney’s defence has been a subject of debate in the lead-up to the game but there are no question marks over his goalkicking, the Blues No 6 making no mistake as the baby Blues took a two-point lead.

Barely three minutes later, they were in front by eight points with a try to Tedesco.

Adrian McMurray 10.22pm: Teddy credits new jerseys

James Tedesco has been awarded man of the match, and said he was thankful for some tight jerseys in helping him to a very handy 16 tackle busts.

“Every time there was a quick play-the-ball Freddy encouraged us to take them on, I saw a bit of lazy work there,” Tedesco said of his second half run which led to another Blues four-pointer. “Thanks to Freddy for the tight jerseys.

James Tedesco in action. Picture: Adam Head
James Tedesco in action. Picture: Adam Head

“It’s an awesome feeling. I just tried to stay composed, I didn’t want to think too much about it during the game. I knew we had a young team here but they all had a great game. All the boys on debut dug in deep.”

Adrian McMurray 10.07pm: NSW take Origin opener

The Blues continue to throw a few things at the Queensland line ... and that’s it! NSW have taken the series opener 22-12!

Josh Addo-Carr celebrates winning game one of the 2018 State of Origin series. Picture: Adam Head
Josh Addo-Carr celebrates winning game one of the 2018 State of Origin series. Picture: Adam Head

Adrian McMurray 10.03pm: Mitchell goes close

The Blues are in a mood to finish this one off. Mitchell crosses the line and points to the sky in celebration! But the bunker rules he’s been held up.

Adrian McMurray 10.00pm: Missed tackles cruel Qld’s chances

There were plenty of question marks surrounding the NSW defence pre-game, but it’s Queensland who have been let down with their work without the ball. Chambers has missed 10 tackles, while Munster and Kaufusi have missed seven each. The worst for NSW has been Cleary, with four.

Adrian McMurray 9.53pm: NSW headed for victory

TRY! Tedesco has been unreal, and he produced another bustling run to get things going for the Blues. NSW spin it left, and a big looping Maloney pass finds Addo-Carr, ‘The Fox’ diving over the extend NSW’s lead. Maloney’s conversion is waved away and the NSW lead remains at 22-12.

Adrian McMurray 9.50pm: Another big Inglis hit

Inglis is a man on a mission, pulling off some brutal defence. This time he lined up Cleary, but the NSW halfback got up and has been brilliant in his debut.

Adrian McMurray 9.42pm: Cook injury?

Damien Cook goes down, clutching at his torso. It looked for a moment that he was in real strife but he gets back up and continues his work out of dummy-half. Fittler again would be relieved, but he does have utility Tyrone Peachey up his sleeve who can slot in if needed.

The crowd is announced as a huge 87,122, the fourth highest Origin attendance. Well done, Melbourne.

Damien Cook in action during Origin I. Picture: AAP
Damien Cook in action during Origin I. Picture: AAP

Adrian McMurray 9.35pm: NSW get a roll on

TRY! Here we go, after a fairly cagey, yet entertaining first half, the points are starting to flow. It’s that man again Tedesco who makes the initial bust, pushing past Kaufusi and Chambers before he’s brought down. Maloney bombs for the right wing and Trbojevic climbs high, his height advantage helping him over the top of Holmes, stealing the ball.

It’s sent to the bunker as a try, the officials deeming momentum carried the NSW winger across the line. Maloney converts and the Blues are back in front, 18-12.

Adrian McMurray 9.27pm: Blues hit straight back

TRY! Just moments later, NSW hit back via Mitchell! Wonderful work to hold it up by Tedesco as he links with his Roosters teammate in a nice left-side shift. It’s sent to the bunker as a no-try, with question marks around obstruction.

But there’s no issue with Cordner’s run into Hunt — who trips — and the Blues level to scores. Maloney misses the ensuing conversion, 12-all at the 49-minute mark.

Adrian McMurray 9.21pm: Maroons strike first in second half

TRY! It’s Gagai who opens the scoring in the second stanza, showing no ill effects of that finger injury. A Maloney forward pass invited the Maroons into good field position, and a Hunt grubber put Gagai in behind Addo-Carr. No issues with the bunker as Holmes adds the extras from out wide. Queensland hit the front for the first time tonight, 12-8.

Adrian McMurray 9.13pm: What. A. Hit.

What about that hit from Inglis on de Belin in the first half? Great to see the Queensland skipper back at this level and pulling off shots like that. Talk about inspiring with your actions. He’s been relatively well contained so far, let’s see what happens during this second half.

Adrian McMurray 9.01pm: NSW take slender lead at half-time

Mitchell and Gagai get in each other’s face as the half-time siren sounds at the MCG, but there’s not much in it as both sides trot back to the sheds.

NSW halfback Nathan Cleary told Channel 9 his first foray into Origin has been “really fast” with some “end-to-end” footy being played.

His opposite Ben Hunt said it’s “everything” he expected.

“Credit to us boys we held in there and got a try,” Hunt said.

NSW maintain their tight 8-6 lead.

Adrian McMurray 8.56pm: Queensland build late in first half

Chambers might not be Queensland’s first-choice kicking option, but the centre gets a great result with a grubber, which just sits up before the dead-ball line forcing Tedesco to make a play at it. The Maroons don’t capitalise, a change-over at the end of the ensuing set. NSW work their way back up the field and get a huge let-off. The initial ruling is a NSW goal line drop-out but the decision is overturned, Gagai deemed to have batted it dead. It’s still 8-6 NSW, just five to go before the break.

Adrian McMurray 8.46pm: Queensland hit back

TRY! Maloney was spreading it right to Roberts, but Valentine Holmes read it beautifully and raced away some 90 metres to score! Not even Roberts or Addo-Carr could stop Holmes with momentum against them.

Valentine Holmes scored Queensland’s first try. Picture: AAP
Valentine Holmes scored Queensland’s first try. Picture: AAP

A deft kick from Maloney perhaps would’ve resulted in more points for the Blues with the Maroons defence jamming in, but instead it’s Queensland clawing their way back into the contest. Holmes converts his own try, NSW lead 8-6 with 10 minutes to go before half-time.

Adrian McMurray 8.38pm: Tedesco grabs first try

TRY! Cook scoots from dummy-half and links up with Maloney. The veteran finds Tedesco back on his inside pushing up in support, and the NSW No 1 can’t be stopped!

James Tedesco scored the opening try of Origin I. Picture: AAP
James Tedesco scored the opening try of Origin I. Picture: AAP

Chambers dives at Tedesco’s ankles but it’s for little effect. Maloney adds the extras and NSW lead 8-0 mid-way through the first half.

Adrian McMurray 8.35pm: Big let-off for the Blues

Josh Papalii is introduced into the contest, and the Maroons spread it right. Felise Kaufusi pops a pass to Will Chambers, but the Queensland centre couldn’t hold the pass from his Storm teammate. Brad Fittler will have breathed a sigh of relief there.

Adrian McMurray 8.33pm: NSW take first points

A few repeat sets and a penalty results in first points for the Blues, with James Maloney slotting the two from just to the left of the posts. NSW have a perfect 10/10 completion rate, while the Maroons sit on six from seven. I thought we’d be in for plenty of points, but the Origin debutants are finding their way at this level.

Adrian McMurray 8.27pm: Momentum shifts to NSW

A great run from Tedesco puts winger Josh Addo-Carr into space, but he’s brought down. Penalty NSW! And they’ve got some real momentum.

But the set fizzles out, a Damien Cook grubber hitting the legs of the referee in the in-goal. Gavin Cooper grounds it, as Tedesco was steaming through. Dangerous signs early for the Queensland defence. NSW get another crack at them.

Adrian McMurray 8.22pm: All the way of Queensland early

It was all the way of the Maroons in the opening exchanges, dominating field position. But a penalty finally allows NSW to go on the attack. Tyson Frizell threatens the line and puts a good fend on but the Blues can’t crack them at the first real time of asking. Morgan so far has looked good at fullback, confident in taking a Cleary high ball.

Adrian McMurray 8.17pm: Origin I begins

We’re underway in Origin I! Good first set for the Blues and they get to their kick. Both sides trade sets and another monster NSW kick leaves Morgan in a bit of a nervous moment as he drops it behind him.

We’ve got the first penalty of the game, barely four minutes into the contest. Queensland go on the attack, and Roberts stands up defensively. It ends with a short Ben Hunt grubber behind the line, tidied up by Tedesco. The NSW defence passes its first test.

Adrian McMurray 8.10pm: Teams out for the anthem

Phil Gould’s usual pre-match monologue is left to a pre-recorded package these days, but it still manages to inspire, set to The Avengers theme music. The teams run out on to the MCG ... and the Queensland team run through a banner with a cheeky nod to the ‘Queensland’s Everywhere’ theme. A nice touch. The young NSW outfit join them, and it’s time for the national anthem.

Adrian McMurray 7.50pm: Duks rock MCG

Canberra duo Peking Duk have rocked the MCG, blasting their 2016 hit Stranger as the countdown to kick-off continues.

Meanwhile, down in the sheds the NSW under-18s are having a party of their own.

Adrian McMurray 7.25pm: ‘Nervous, but excited’

Michael Morgan says he’s been consulting Billy Slater during camp as he prepares to start an Origin game at fullback for the first time.

Speaking to Channel 9 in the sheds at the MCG, Morgan said he’s “nervous” but “excited” to fill in for Slater at the back.

“I’ve spoken a fair bit over the past few days to Billy and went over the way he was preparing,” Morgan said. “I’ve picked his brain a fair bit and it’s certainly helped.”

Michael Morgan. Picture: Adam Head
Michael Morgan. Picture: Adam Head

Dane Gagai was a confirmed starter despite yesterday’s horror finger injury, but Morgan was hopeful the Souths flyer would make it through tonight’s contest.

“It was pretty crazy, really,” Morgan said, recounting the moment the injury occurred. “Out of nowhere just catching a ball.

“Fingers crossed he gets through OK tonight because he’s certainly a player who gets our sets started well, so we’ll need him.”

Adrian McMurray 7.06pm: Gagai to play

The Queensland side has landed and Dane Gagai will start despite suffering a compound dislocation yesterday. His hand has — understandably — been heavily strapped, but his availability means no further changes to a backline which has been shifted around due to Billy Slater’s withdrawal.

Dane Gagai in the sheds prior to State of Origin game one. Picture: Channel 9
Dane Gagai in the sheds prior to State of Origin game one. Picture: Channel 9

Confirmation also Anthony Milford will take the final spot on the bench with Michael Morgan to start at fullback.

Queensland Maroons: Michael Morgan, Valentine Holmes, Will Chambers, Greg Inglis, Dane Gagai, Cameron Munster, Ben Hunt, Dylan Napa, Andrew McCullough, Jarrod Wallace, Gavin Cooper, Felise Kaufusi, Josh McGuire. Bench: Josh Papalii, Coen Hess, Jai Arrow, Anthony Milford.

Adrian McMurray 7.01pm: NSW unchanged

No late changes for the Blues, who will run out 1-17. There was some talk that Jake Trbojevic might start, but he’ll come from the bench with his brother Tom joining him in the Origin arena for the first time.

We’re still waiting on the confirmed Queensland team.

NSW Blues: James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, James Roberts, Josh Addo-Carr, James Maloney, Nathan Cleary, David Klemmer, Damien Cook, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Boyd Cordner (c), Tyson Frizell, Jack de Belin. Bench: Paul Vaughan, Jake Trbojevic, Angus Crichton, Tyrone Peachey.

Blues coach Brad Fittler. Picture: AAP
Blues coach Brad Fittler. Picture: AAP

Will Swanton 7.00pm: Stage set for Origin’s new era

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is the unlikely venue for determining whether one of the great dynasties in Australian sport, the 11 wins in 12 years by Queensland in State of Origin, will crumble now the Maroons have lost their Mount Rushmore of superstars in Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater.

They’ve either retired from rep footy or withdrawn because of injury (Slater). NSW will unveil the 11 players that coach Brad Fittler believes can create a dynasty of their own. The Blues want to play an up-tempo, super-quick, points-frenzy brand of football — if they get enough go-forward to do so from their big blokes up the middle.

NSW captain Boyd Cordner and QLD captain Greg Inglis. Picture: Brett Costello
NSW captain Boyd Cordner and QLD captain Greg Inglis. Picture: Brett Costello

The Maroons will play a more traditional brand of grinding Origin football but there’s enough danger in their backs to score a few points of their own. The Blues have concerns in defence surrounding Latrell Mitchell, James Roberts and James Maloney.

The stands are slowly filling towards the forecast crowd of 80,000. It’s a cool and dry evening and as always here at night, the field will have a film of dew, perhaps compromising any plans for all-out attack.

The league field looks like a postage stamp in the giant stadium. There’s a good 50m from the sideline to the fence on the press box side of the arena. Asked if the Blues’ new breed will deliver, Fittler has said, “No guarantees.”

Kick-off is at 8.10pm.

Adrian McMurray 6.45pm: Early win for NSW

The NSW under-18s have beaten their Queensland counterparts 16-10 in an end-to-end encounter in the curtain-raiser.

With the game tied up at 10-all, with less than five minutes to go, Stefano Utoikamanu crashed over, his try converted to hand NSW the lead.

Duwayne Fuimaono in action during the under-18s Origin game. Picture: Adam Head
Duwayne Fuimaono in action during the under-18s Origin game. Picture: Adam Head

A late Queensland surge almost resulted in points but the young Blues held on to secure their third straight win in the under-18s contest.

Adrian McMurray 6.35pm: ‘Big Willie’ up to his old tricks

One of the game’s great characters, former NSW prop Willie Mason was up to his old tricks, popping up during a live cross on 7 News Brisbane.

Ex-Maroons prop Shane Webcke and Queensland legend Trevor Gillmeister were interrupted by the man affectionately known as ‘Big Willie’ just hours out from kick-off.

Adrian McMurray 6.10pm: NSW stroll into the MCG

Brad Fittler’s approach to coaching the NSW side has been a little different, and that theme has continued with the side’s transport arrangements for the evening.

The Blues ditched the team bus in favour of a walk to the MCG, passing fans en route to tonight’s venue.

Tyrone Peachey, Tyson Frizell and Angus Crichton leave the team hotel. Picture: Getty Images
Tyrone Peachey, Tyson Frizell and Angus Crichton leave the team hotel. Picture: Getty Images

It’s a little unconventional, but you just never know, it might do the trick.

Meanwhile the NSW and Queensland under-18s are locked at 6-all midway through the second half of the curtain-raiser.

6.00pm: Will South Sydney’s Origin stars back up on Friday night?

High-flying South Sydney will put no pressure on their State of Origin stars to back up for Friday night’s NRL clash with Gold Coast.

The Rabbitohs named representatives Damien Cook, Angus Crichton, Greg Inglis and Dane Gagai in their team to face the Titans two days after Origin 1, but stand- in skipper Sam Burgess was confident the club could stretch its winning streak to six games with or without the quartet.

Damien Cook during training with NSW. Picture: Jenny Evans
Damien Cook during training with NSW. Picture: Jenny Evans

“Greg, Dane and Cookey are all starting and will play big minutes so we’ll see how they pull up … but there’s no pressure on them from our end,” Burgess said.

AAP

5.30pm: I would’ve let Queensland down: Smith

Cameron Smith has explained his decision to retire from representative football so close to State of Origin and says he’d be letting Queensland down if he played on.

The longtime Test and Queensland captain stunned the rugby league world three weeks ago when he announced his exit, leaving him to focus solely on NRL duties with Melbourne.

Some have questioned the timing, so close to Wednesday’s Origin series opener, and whether that was right for the Queensland team.

Smith revealed his mind was pretty well made up before the season began but said he needed more time to confirm it.

“I probably had made the decision before I started this year,’ Smith told reporters at a pre-Origin I lunch in Melbourne on Wednesday. “But I just wanted to make sure that it was the right decision. “I wanted to play a few games which I think I said after the World Cup when I was asked whether I’d continue playing rep football.

Former Maroons captain Cameron Smith. Picture: Jason Edwards
Former Maroons captain Cameron Smith. Picture: Jason Edwards

“I’d have my time away over the off-season and then get back into training and see how I started in the first month or six weeks.” Smith — who holds the record for most Origin games and wins, as well as seven man-of-the-match awards, wanted to see if he felt the urge to return to Origin camp.

Midway through last month, he made the call.

“It just wasn’t there,” Smith said.

“So playing 42 matches and being involved in Origin for 15 years, it was the right time for me to step away and I really did feel that if I chose to play on, I would’ve been letting my teammates down.

“I would’ve been letting my state down, because I wouldn’t have been fully committed to it.” Smith was a notable figure in the Maroons’ captain’s run at the MCG on Tuesday, where he spoke to coach Kevin Walters and also gave successor Andrew McCullough some advice before his debut.

However Smith insisted he still felt comfortable he had made the right decision.

“There was no feeling of jealousy of not being out there training or having that Maroons jersey on, running in a captain’s training session,” he said. “I felt at ease and really happy to be there to say g’day to the team, wish them good luck and watch them go through their final paces.”

AAP

3.45pm: Is Milford a weapon or a liability?

He may have had a State of Origin debut to forget. But Queensland’s Anthony Milford has been backed to provide a not so subtle reminder of his talents in tonight’s series opener in Melbourne after a last- minute inclusion.

Brisbane playmaker Milford gets another chance to impress for the Maroons after being added to the Queensland bench in a reshuffle caused by veteran Billy Slater’s shock withdrawal with a hamstring injury.

Eyebrows were raised by Milford getting the nod as the bench utility over exciting Newcastle young gun Kalyn Ponga after hot and cold form for the Broncos this NRL season.

Then there was Milford’s Origin debut in game one last year. Milford didn’t fire a shot after starting in the halves as Queensland were crushed 28-4 by NSW — their worst Suncorp Stadium loss in Origin history. While Queensland coach Kevin Walters admitted Milford didn’t impress on debut, he believed the 23-year-old would embrace his second chance tonight.

He took exception to the suggestion that Milford was out of form with the eighth-placed Broncos instead having a crack at the team he once captained in his playing days.

“I disagree he hasn’t been that good. I think the Broncos have struggled as a group,” said Walters, who quit as Broncos assistant coach earlier this year. “But I have seen some great touches from Milf particularly the last couple of weeks. He is just so dangerous with the ball.”

Queensland coach Kevin Walters (left) speaks with Anthony Milford (middle — ahead of tonight’s first State of Origin clash at the MCG. Photo: Getty Images
Queensland coach Kevin Walters (left) speaks with Anthony Milford (middle — ahead of tonight’s first State of Origin clash at the MCG. Photo: Getty Images

He took exception to the suggestion that Milford was out of form with the eighth-placed Broncos instead having a crack at the team he once captained in his playing days.

“I disagree he hasn’t been that good. I think the Broncos have struggled as a group,” said Walters, who quit as Broncos assistant coach earlier this year. “But I have seen some great touches from Milf particularly the last couple of weeks. He is just so dangerous with the ball.”

AAP

3.30pm: Turvey’s simple message for Blues

The man who ended the original Queensland dynasty has a single message for this year’s class of NSW State of Origin rookies: Don’t forget to defend.

Led by a record 11 debutants, the new-look Blues will tonight aim to put almost 13 years of heartache behind them in the series-opener in Melbourne. NSW legend Steve Mortimer was the first Blues captain to lift the shield in 1985, ending a run of three straight series triumphs under the State of Origin banner.

Captain Steve Mortimer is chaired from field after NSW defeated Queensland in the 1985 State of Origin series. Photo: File
Captain Steve Mortimer is chaired from field after NSW defeated Queensland in the 1985 State of Origin series. Photo: File

And while he’s enamoured by the speed and class of their attack, Mortimer warned Brad Fittler’s side against the pitfalls of over-relying on their individual skill.

“We do have a hell of a lot of great attacking players. I love it,” Mortimer said.

“But someone told me if you’re going to play rugby league, you can have all the skills in the world. But everyone’s got to know how to tackle properly. Every one of those blokes need to know how to tackle and bring those Maroons down.”

Mortimer, who played nine matches for NSW, said the Maroons’ raft of exclusions meant now was the time for the Blues to bring an end to their dominance in the interstate rivalry.

He praised Fittler for selecting 14 of his 17 players from teams currently inside the top eight.

“Never has there been a greater opportunity. We have a fresh group of players now,” he said.

“Queensland have got some new players too. But those players we’ve got now, they’re all up in the top eight, except for David Klemmer who I really feel for. But he’ll lift himself. He’s such a great player.”

AAP

3.15pm: Expect fireworks, Hannay says

Finally cleared of injury, Queensland are set to cause some pain of their own with some “fireworks” in tonight’s State of Origin opener after claiming NSW’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard had fired up their forward pack.

After a tumultuous build-up, the Maroons were breathing a little easier today with star winger Dane Gagai a confirmed starter for Origin I at the MCG after being cleared of a finger fracture.

Dane Gagai is a key man for Queensland tonight. Photo: Adam Head
Dane Gagai is a key man for Queensland tonight. Photo: Adam Head

While Queensland assistant coach Josh Hannay admitted Gagai may need a painkilling injection, he confirmed last year’s Wally Lewis Medal winner as player of the series would take his place after X-rays cleared him of a break.

Hannay held no fears that Gagai would be targeted and exposed in defence. But he did issue a warning to the Blues pack that there would be “fireworks” in Origin I thanks to Campbell-Gillard.

The Blues giant clearly ruffled feathers in the Maroons camp when he claimed: “I can’t wait to get out there and start killing some people”.

“He has to live with what he said,” Hannay said of the prop’s comment. Asked if he expected fireworks, Hannay said: “I think there could be. There has been a bit of chat south of the border and we certainly have some firebrands in our pack — I would not be surprised if a real physical contest erupts.

NSW firebrand Reagan Campbell-Gillard. Photo: Brett Costello
NSW firebrand Reagan Campbell-Gillard. Photo: Brett Costello

“Our forward pack always seems to be underrated. I think our forwards like that — they will meet that challenge head on.” And he tipped Sydney Roosters prop Dylan Napa to lead the Maroons assault.

“Dylan is a real intimidating, physical type of front rower. He loves these occasions, the ferocity of State of Origin — it will bring out the best in him,” Hannay said.

AAP

3pm: TEAMS — How they line up

With State of Origin, drama is never far away. Unfortunately for Queensland, there’s been a whole host of drama before a ball has even been kicked in this year’s interstate series.

The representative retirements of Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk are one thing — but Queensland have also been forced to deal with some major injury concerns. Arguably the game’s best second-rower, Matt Gillett, is out with injury; fullback Billy Slater pulled out with a hamstring injury sustained in training this week and lock forward Josh McGuire has not played in five weeks because of an ankle complaint.

New South Wales’ changes are all of their own doing, with coach Brad Fittler selecting 11 debutants — wingers Tom Trbojevic and Josh Addo-Carr, centres Latrell Mitchell and James Roberts, halfback Nathan Cleary, hooker Damien Cook, forwards Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Jack de Belin, Paul Vaughan and Angus Crichton and bench utility Tyrone Peachey.

How the teams line up tonight.
How the teams line up tonight.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/state-of-origin-2018-game-1-live-coverage-queensland-vs-nsw-at-the-mcg/news-story/272bfb43f2ae853a65f9bed0df522728