A Cameron Munster-inspired masterclass has propelled the Maroons to an upset 16-10 win to spoil NSW’s Sydney homecoming and earn Queensland a 1-0 Origin series lead.
Munster punctured holes in the NSW defensive line for much of the night, running for a team-high 198 metres, breaking seven tackles, and making a line break en route to a Man of the Match performance. The Rockhampton-native came up with some momentum-turning plays and kicked well all night long to spur on a victory reminiscent of past Queensland sides.
The Maroons were forced into a backline reshuffle after Xavier Coates left the field with an ankle issue, prompting first-year head coach Billy Slater to shift Valentine Holmes a spot wider onto the left wing and edge forward Kurt Capewell into the centres. Holmes was unphased, however, finishing the contest with a try, 17 carries for 148 metres, three tackle breaks and several clean-up efforts in the dying stages.
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Any concerns over Queensland’s bench heading into the opener were quickly dispelled; debutant Patty Carrigan was arguably the best forward on ground, finishing with 19 carries for 183 metres and 34 tackles in 64 minutes, whilst Harry Grant wreaked havoc out of hooker, taking eight scoots for 70 metres and breaking four tackles as Queensland outscored NSW 16-0 with him on the field. Lindsay Collins was also terrific, running for 133 metres from a dozen carries and making 25 tackles in 37 minutes.
Several of Queensland’s starting forwards deserve their flowers too; debutant Reuben Cotter lasted the full 80 minutes to finish with 14 carries for 134 metres and 51 tackles in a herculean effort, whilst Capewell’s versatility and dependability was on full show with the Charleville-native running for 145 metres from 16 carries and making 22 tackles after a mid-game positional switch. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui put together his usual, tradesman-like performance, running for 131 metres from 6 carries and making 38 tackles.
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Queensland were on the back foot early after conceding the first try but the impact of Grant, Carrigan, and Collins helped turn the tide. A piece of Selwyn Cobbo brilliance laid on a four-pointer for veteran Dane Gagai to help drag the Maroons to a 6-4 halftime lead. It was then skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and Holmes crossing for tries in the opening 15 minutes of the second-half that put the Maroons in the drivers’ seat and able them to hang on for a major Game I scalp.
Queensland held their nerve for longer than their opponents and reaped the rewards behind some classy play from their spine and some massive efforts from their fresh forwards. Unlike previous Maroons coaches, Slater strayed away from mind games, innuendo, and other strange techniques, simply instilling self-belief in his players and trusting his gameplan befitted the squad he selected.
Game II will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth in less than three weeks, where Queensland will have their sights set on retaining the Origin Shield and setting up a potential whitewash at Suncorp for Game III. Slater is unlikely to make any unforced changes, however, if Coates is unable to overcome the ankle issue he picked up in Game I, Murray Taulagi will be the favourite to jag the vacant left wing spot.
