Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans rubs salt in NSW Origin wounds

The Queensland skipper took the man of the match award in game one before walking away with the soul of the beaten Blues.

The Maroons celebrate after game one. Photos: Getty Images

Daly Cherry-Evans had an ice-cold message for the Blues after leading Queensland to a dominant State of Origin victory in game one at Accor Stadium.

The Blues had to play for more than 70 minutes with a man down after Joseph Suaali’i’s early send off for a high shot on Reece Walsh, with the Queensland fullback also ruled out for the rest of the contest.

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The early incident changed the whole complexion of the match, with the Maroons marching to a 20-6 lead at the break.

NSW showed some heart after the restart, scoring a second try through Zac Lomax and dictating play, before Cherry-Evans’ 40-20 flipped the momentum back in Queensland’s favour for good as they romped to a 38-10 win.

The skipper also stepped out of the line to snatch an intercept when the Blues were attacking about 20 metres out to put another nail in the home side’s coffin in the 71st minute.

After all the pre-match talk about the Blues’ four-forwards bench, compared to Queensland’s split of forwards and backs, Maroons coach Billy Slater was left looking a genius as Selwyn Cobbo helped overcome the loss of Walsh so early on.

The Maroons celebrate after game one. Photos: Getty Images

Cherry-Evans, 35, was named man of the match for his starring role and was quick to give credit to Slater after the huge victory in Sydney, ahead of clashes in Melbourne and Brisbane.

“In Billy (Slater) we trust,” Cherry-Evans said.

“He put Selwyn on the bench and it was a masterstroke. Not that we wanted it but we trained for it.”

That’s when the skipper kicked the Blues while they were down, asked if he could see a one-sided result like this coming in the lead-up to the series opener.

“I did to be honest,” he replied. “We worked so hard together all week.

“We were so determined to get this one and it paid off for us.”

Liam Martin and Zac Lomax were among NSW’s best, while a somewhat rudderless attacking effort will spark predictable calls for Mitchell Moses to return for game two.

Moses impressed last week on return from injury for the Eels and he has already been linked with a swift return to the Blues’ side.

Dylan Edwards would also be a contender to replace James Tedesco, after the Penrith custodian was ruled out with a quad injury.

Queensland were far too strong in the end. Photos: Getty Images/NRL Photos

Realistically, the Blues’ chances of a first-up win were ruined by the send off.

“Probably their worst nightmare,” Phil Gould said on Channel 9.

“It was hard enough taking them on with 13 men, let alone 12.

“They’ve got a lot to work on if they want to get back into the series down in Melbourne.”

Jake Trbojevic, who was very quiet in his first match as NSW skipper, was also struggling to find positives.

“It was a tough night, not too much went to plan,” he said.

“There was a period there where we showed lots of fight. After halftime we were probably on top there for 20 minutes.

“There’s a few more games still to come. Disappointing night, disappointing to lose at home.”

Originally published as Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans rubs salt in NSW Origin wounds