The NSW Blues have held off a determined second-half comeback from Queensland to emerge 14-6 winners in Origin One at ANZ Stadium tonight.
NSW led 14-nil at halftime before the Maroons rallied to score the only six points of the second half.
A blistering opening 15 minutes and a late try to Michael Jennings saw the Blues hold a commanding 14-nil lead at halftime. The Blues opened the scoring in the 5th minute when Jarryd Hayne scored after a smart quick-passing exchange from Mitchell Pearce and Luke Lewis, with Lewis throwing a hot-potato inside ball to the NSW No. 1.
James Maloney’s conversion made it a six-point advantage and the Blue went further ahead when Maloney slotted a penalty goal approaching the midpoint of the half.
NSW had the chance to go further ahead after being awarded a penalty in kicking range but Maloney’s attempt shaved the left-hand upright.
Thereafter the sides settled into an arm-wrestle, before Michael Jennings stunned the Queenslanders in the 36th minute, regathering a Robbie Farah grubber from close range that rebounded off the Queensland defence, then stepping his way over despite the attention of a brace of opposition defenders.
James Maloney’s conversion made it a 14-point buffer.
Both sides had chances in the opening 20 minutes of the second half but it was Queensland who applied the pressure, Darius Boyd crossing in the 61st minute and Cameron Smith kicking the sideline conversion for a 14-6 scoreline.
It was a stunning performance by the Blues who had to overcome a poor error rate – they committed 14 mistakes to the Maroons’ eight – as well as a less than impressive 75 per cent completions rate compared to the visitors’ 84 per cent.