Game I was a drama-fuelled affair, with the Blues playing with 12 men on the park for all but seven minutes after an early send off in a 38-10 loss.
How they reacted to the massive blow came under the microscope while Maroons coach Billy Slater’s ‘masterstroke’ to carry an extra outside back on the bench was justified.
There will be several huge selection calls for Blues coach Michael Maguire to make for Game II, none bigger than at halfback and fullback.
Meanwhile, Queensland’s Munster replacement again came up trumps for the second time at this level.
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Here are the biggest talking points to come out of Origin I.
PAUL CRAWLEY: The star that’s ‘nowhere near Origin level’ as Madge must make four brutal Blues calls
‘NOT A SEND-OFF’: Debate erupts over ‘sickening’ shot as ex-Origin star ‘shocked’ at ref’s huge call
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New Blue SENT OFF for hit on Walsh | 00:46
ORIGIN NEWS
FULL TIME: Maroons blow Blues away after historic send-off as NSW gamble backfires
NSW PLAYER RATINGS: Teddy’s brutal miss, new Blues cult hero erupts
QLD PLAYER RATINGS: DCE’s perfect statement as Hammer blitz seals Slater call
BLUES ‘REACT POORLY’ TO EARLY SETBACK
The Blues were dealt a massive early blow when debutant Joseph Suaalii was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Reece Walsh just seven minutes into his Origin career.
Much was made about the Maroons picking Selwyn Cobbo on the bench and just two true forwards, but we’re sure Michael Maguire would have been hoping he had gone with a similar set up on his interchange when Suaalii was given his marching orders.
Maguire had no outside backs on the pine which forced him to shift Angus Crichton into the centres. Nicho Hynes even defended in the centres at one point.
The Maroons then attacked that Blues right edge with will, scoring two quick tries in almost identical manner both of which were finished off by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Former Blues coach Phil Gould was critical of how New South Wales reacted after huge setback and pointed to the lack of outside back cover on the bench.
Details of QLD great’s stinging F-bomb spray to sent-off Blues star revealed
‘WHAT’S GOING ON THERE?’: Madge under fire, call for change over skipper’s baffling 29-minute stint
“The send off is unfortunate but I thought New South Wales reacted poorly to it and probably didn’t make the change they needed to make,” Gould said on Channel Nine.
“They came into this game without a replacement for the backs. They should have done that and instigated it straight away.
“It was probably their worst nightmare. Having to play them with 13 men was hard enough, let alone 12 men. They (Maroons) just had too much speed and creativity out wide.
“I thought NSW were gallant in the physical side of the game, but they weren’t that smart with their football either.
“They’ve (Blues) got a lot of work to do before they go to Melbourne if they want to turn this around.
“I thought the signs were there even before they got down to 12 men. They did break them down the left side and had already scored a try.
“The speed of Queensland and the creativity was always going to be a problem. It was just exacerbated by being down to 12 men and allowed Queensland to virtually play as they like.”
‘A massive call in a game like this!’ | 00:58
MADGE’S HUGE SELECTION CALLS FOR GAME II
Eels star Mitch Moses has most likely rocketed into favouritism to be the Blues halfback for Game II after a mixed night from Nicho Hynes.
Hynes did some good things, including a lovely kick to set up a Zac Lomax try in the second half, but the Blues’ fifth tackle options lacked creativity, which the halfback has to take the brunt of the blame for.
Thankfully, Hynes’ troublesome calf didn’t seem to bother him too much throughout the game, but it’s hard to know for sure. He has been rested for Cronulla’s clash against Brisbane this weekend.
It’s a tough game to assess, considering New South Wales were playing 12 against 13 for 73 minutes, but it’s likely Michael Maguire will make a number of changes to the Blues side for Game II with Moses sure to enter calculations now.
He was sidelined for two months with a broken foot but returned for Parramatta last week in their win against the Hynes-less Sharks.
Moses didn’t miss a beat, laying on three try assists against the Sharks and showing off his elite kicking game.
Legendary Blues halfback Andrew Johns certainly believes Moses should be in the frame.
“There’s a lot written about Nicho all the time, always in the headlines, always in the papers, he is wonderful for our game, doing a brilliant job at Cronulla. It will be interesting now,” Johns said post-match on Channel Nine.
“Mitchell Moses was great last week … Talking about looking at him over the next couple of weeks. Is there two games before Game II in Melbourne? He’s only had one game back. I’m sure he will come into consideration.
“What we saw of Moses last week when he shot the lights out, nine out of 10, and his kicking game is probably out there with the best in the competition.”
Another selection headache for Maguire is who to pick at fullback in Game II, and this one looms as being a much tougher call than the halfback dilemma.
Of course, Dylan Edwards was originally given the nod by Maguire but suffered a quad injury four days before Game I, opening the door for the incumbent Tedesco to be called into the squad.
Tedesco was one of the better Blues on Wednesday night, proving shifty with ball in hand while running for 170 metres and recording six tackle busts.
The lowlight was a bad missed tackle on Ben Hunt which led to what was a game-sealing Maroons try in the 67th minute when the match was in the balance at 20-10.
That play aside, you’d probably have to say Tedesco did enough to keep his spot.
Adding intrigue to the selection battle is that there’s no certainty Edwards will be fit enough to play in Game II.
If he is, Maguire may consider going with the fullback he initially picked which would lead to an awkward phone call to Tedesco to axe him for the second time in three weeks.
So many moving parts for Maguire and the Blues to consider.
Johns said combinations have to be considered when the Blues sit down to select their fullback for Game II.
“I don’t know. I really don’t know (who the Blues pick at fullback in Game II). It’s going to be a big decision for Madge,” Johns said on Channel Nine.
“Tedesco absolutely tried his heart out tonight. If you’re going to go with combinations, obviously there’s going to be a lot of talk about the halves, whether they pick Nicho again and Jarome (Luai) or whether they go with Mitchell Moses.
“Mitchell Moses and James Tedesco played a lot of footy together as young fellas, they debuted together at the Tigers.
“So it probably depends on how Michael Maguire sees his team attacking and how they’re going to play in Melbourne.”
Queensland legend defends Sua’ali’i | 00:40
ORIGIN NEWS
‘NOT DELIBERATE’: QLD legend’s shock defence of Blues rookie as hit sparks debate
CASUALTY WARD: Concussion confusion as Walsh passes HIA… but still ruled out
‘LUCKY WE TRAINED FOR IT’: Maroons flyer’s shock reveal after answering SOS
NO MUNSTER, NO WORRIES AS GRITTY FIVE-EIGHTH SHINES
Maroons fans drew a collective breath when superstar playmaker Cam Munster writhed in pain after re-aggravating a groin injury during the Storm’s Magic Round win over Parramatta.
It looked an extremely painful moment for Munster and the next day, he was ruled out for two months and the entire Origin series.
Many pundits quickly anointed Cowboys pivot Tom Dearden as Munster’s replacement for the Maroons, based on his form in club land and the fact he has successfully deputised for Munster before at Origin level (Game III, 2022).
Dearden would have to survive a two-man shootout against Broncos star Ezra Mam for the Maroons No. 6 jersey before officially being anointed Munster’s replacement when coach Billy Slarer named the team for Game I.
It proved the right decision, with tough-as-teak Dearden making some crucial, desperate plays defensively and proving a handful with ball in hand, running for 83 metres and recording six tackle busts. In addition, his effort areas ranked off the charts.
That’s just par for course for the tenacious Dearden though, who never lets his teammates down at any level.
Munster, who was a part of Channel Nine’s coverage throughout the game, lauded Dearden post-match.
“He’s a talent. Queensland is in great hands, even got Ezra Mam in the wings as well. Not lacking in any talent, in the fifth eighth position,” Munster said.
“Tommy is Tommy, he plays his strengths. He’s a great runner of the ball and he showcased that tonight. He doesn’t get too fazed.”
“A good little player. I love it,” Maroons legend Paul Vautin added.
“He’s always challenging the line, like you do. You always challenge the line. Too many five-eighths these day go bang, they pass, they pass, they pass. He challenges the line by running at it, dummying, changes speed.”
It’s been quite the rise for Dearden over the past three years after agitating for an early release from the Broncos due to Brisbane not being willing to offer a new deal.
Dearden would link up immediately with the Cowboys where he is now a co-captain and two for two in the Origin arena.
‘MASTERMIND’ BILLY’S BOLD BENCH CALL PAYS OFF
One of the more interesting selection decisions for either side was Billy Slater’s call to carry Selwyn Cobbo on the bench.
It was the question on everybody’s lips in the lead up to Game I. How would Slater utilise Cobbo, an outside back.
It was speculated Cobbo could spend time in the middle as a second fullback or be used as a forward in attack and a centre in defence whenever he came on the park.
But first and foremost, he was picked as insurance if a backline member was injured.
Lo and behold, the Slater’s decision proved to be a “master stroke” when fullback Reece Walsh came off the ground in the 7th minute and subsequently ruled out of the game after copping a brutal high shot from Joseph Suaalii.
Cobbo slotted straight into the centres, with Tabuai-Fidow pushing back to fullback and starring with three tries (see below).
Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans credited his coach’s decision as well as praising the way his side handled the early loss of Walsh.
“Yeah, I mean, in Billy we trust,” Cherry-Evans said.
“He put Selwyn on the bench, it was a master stroke.
“To be fair, we trained for it. Not that we wanted something to go wrong, but we just trained in case it did.
“Well done to Billy, the selectors and really big pat on the back to the team for adjusting on the run.”
Queensland winger Murray Taulagi labelled his coach a “mastermind”.
“We had a lot of people saying we had Cobbo on the bench and everyone is saying, ‘What’s the go there?’” Taulagi said in the Maroons sheds post-game.
“It worked out for us. He (Slater) does these things for a reason, we just believe in him with everything he tells us to do.”
Slater gives an update on Reece Walsh | 08:52
HAMMER GIVES BILLY POTENTIAL GAME II SELECTION HEADACHE
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow slotted seamlessly into the fullback role once Reece Walsh was forced from the field.
Admittedly, there was more space for the Maroons to work against the 12-man Blues, but the Hammer took full advantage as a super support option.
He scored three tries, pushing his Origin total out to eight from just five games.
The 22-year-old joins Valentine Holmes as the equal-fastest to eight tries for Queensland (five games), having scored in all of his Origins thus far.
Tabuai-Fidow is already ninth on the Maroons’ all-time try scorers list.
On top of the Cowboys flyer’s scoring acumen, his kick defusal was also class, as New South Wales’ halves pairing continued to launch air raids at the fill-in fullback.
To go along with his three tries, the Hammer compiled 181 run metres and made zero errors.
Given the plethora of quality options Slater has at wing and centre – Selwyn Cobbo, Valentine Holmes and the Hammer himself – would the Maroons’ selection crew dare consider handing Tabuai-Fidow the number one jersey, at Walsh’s expense?
It’s yet another good problem Slater has.
The Hammer stars at both ends for QLD | 01:45