State of Origin 2021: Blues inflict record-breaking defeat on Maroons

NSW exacted a record-breaking defeat on Queensland to open the Origin series thanks to centres Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell

Tom Trbojevic and Nathan Cleary of the Blues celebrate after scoring a try during game one of the 2021 State of Origin series in Townsville.

So much for Queensland having an unfair advantage. It only took 30 minutes for NSW to dispense with that theory in Townsville last night.

The State of Origin series started on Queensland turf but this was NSW’s night at Queensland Country Bank Stadium as they produced a record-breaking performance to win 50-6.

They blew Queensland off the park in the opening half-hour through the genius of centres Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell, and then went on with the job after that. It was NSW’s biggest winning margin, beating the 56-16 mark from the 2000 series.

“It was pretty special. The way they played makes you proud as a coach,” said NSW mentor Brad Fittler. “Just a really great performance. We have had a convincing win every year so we are well aware nothing has been achieved yet. We haven’t won at Suncorp for three years now. That is the challenge.

“There is a really big goal in front of us. I am quite aware that winning a game by 50 here doesn’t mean anything.”

NSW celebrates after Daniel Saifiti’s try. Picture: Adam Head

Maroons coach Paul Green will need to perform a miracle to drag his side back from a chastening defeat.

Trbojevic and Mitchell ripped the Maroons to shreds. It was men against boys. All the talk was about NSW coach Brad Fittler building his side around league leaders Penrith.

Truth be told, it was Mitchell and Trbojevic who were the stars of the show, although winger Brian To’o marked his debut by finishing with a pair of tries.

Fullbacks for their clubs, Mitchell and Trbojevic were named in the centres and tormented Queensland by bobbing up all over the field.

“Latrell’s run early in the game when he went up the sideline was a big play,” Fittler said. “He is a good player, he does some great things on the field. It was awesome to have him out there.”

The Maroons had no answer and their night finished with three players on report — debutant Kyle Feldt, prop Moeaki Fotuaikaand their most important player, Cameron Munster.

They could all miss Origin II, although Queensland could have Kalyn Ponga back for that game. They desperately need him given their inability to find a way through the NSW defensive lines, their lone try arriving just before halftime.

At that point, optimistic Queensland supporters were clinging to hope of a miracle comeback. Any chance of that happening was put to bed in the opening 20 minute of the second half when Trbojevic and Mitchell joined forces to score a pair of tries that stretched their lead into record territory.

Tom Trbojevic crosses for one of his three tries against Queensland in Townsville Picture: Getty Images

Queensland were dispirited and the mood inside Queensland Country Bank Stadium was one of abject and bitter disappointment. The decision to move the game from Melbourne to Queensland drew howls of protest from NSW supporters, but a night that started with the Queenslander chant and ended with relative silence.

The most passionate fans in the game had been subdued. So had the Maroons as NSW set about exacting revenge for last year’s shock series defeat. This was as dominant as it gets and Queensland were on their knees — figuratively and literally.

When Daniel Saifiti crashed over from close range with 15 minutes remaining, Queensland players dropped to the turf and fans started making their ways for the exits. What was meant to be a celebration turned into a wake as the Blues entered rarefied air.

They saved the best for last as Nathan Cleary and James Tedesco combined to gift wrap a hat-trick for Trbojevic. For the second time in history, NSW had scored 50 points in an Origin game.

Latrell Mitchell bagged a double against Queensland Picture: Getty Images

By fulltime, the records were piling up. The Blues had run out to complete darkness and a barrage of boos. In contrast, Queensland were greeted by raucous cheers as they took to the field and the lights took effect.

“We got beaten to the punch early in that game,” Green said. “They really dominated around the ruck. Defensively we couldn’t get any control. It was very disappointing.”

Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans could only watch on as his clubmate Trbojevic carved up the Maroons.

“There is a way to limit it,” Cherry-Evans said.

“He is one of those guys who is going to continuously put himself in the picture. I don’t think we understood how much he would be in the picture tonight. We didn’t even limit it tonight — it was a free for all.

“Obviously very shattered.

Tonight’s damage was pretty big but it is only one-nil.”