Queensland 28
New South Wales 18
Queensland are just win away from rugby league immortality after surviving a NSW fightback to claim a 28-18 victory in the opening State of Origin clash at Etihad Stadium last night.
Led by two tries to centre Greg Inglis and a flawless game from man of the match Johnathan Thurston, the Maroons secured a five tries to three victory in front of 50,967 fans for a 1-nil lead in the best-of-three series.
The Maroons led 24-6 after 43 minutes and appeared to have the match in their control but two fortuitous tries to the Blues ensured a tense finish to an enthralling game.
Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer missed a field goal attempt in the 75th minute but it didn't matter as the Blues couldn't conjure the try to level the game.
Winger Darius Boyd then rammed home the victory with a try in the corner on the siren.
Queensland will now head to Sydney's ANZ Stadium on June 24 for the chance to secure the first-ever fourth consecutive series title in 30 years of State of Origin rugby league.
"We just couldn't put them away," said Lockyer.
"In the second half there a couple of deflections didn't go our way and put them back in the game and in the end we hung on.
"At 24-6 we just needed the next points and we were home.
"But unfortunately we didn't get them and they scored a couple of tries and made things pretty difficult for us."
The Maroons led 18-2 after 18 minutes thanks to three tries in a stunning eight minute period that left the baby Blues stunned.
Billy Slater opened the scoring in the 10th minute from a Cameron Smith grubber, followed by Inglis (15th) and Thurston (18th minute) to give Queensland an 18-2.
But NSW, fielding seven rookies, recovered somewhat to claw their way back into the contest with a try to debutant Ben Creagh to trail 18-6 at half time.
The score may have been closer but Jarryd Hayne was denied a sensational try in the eighth minute when the video referee deemed his left foot brushed the touchline as he danced 40m down the field to score.
However the game was virtually put to bed just three minutes after the break when Inglis sprinted 75m to score a sensational try after an outstanding offload by Nate Myles and cut-out pass from Thurston.
Blues utility Craig Wing sparked some life back into the NSW side only seconds after coming onto the field in the 56th minute when he scored a try after Luke Lewis collected the deflection from Peter Wallace's kick.
Luck again favoured the Blues in the 68th minute when Robbie Farah collected a charge down from his own kick to put Hayne across and reduce the deficit to six points with 10 minutes to play.
The Blues had all the running and continually threatened but a couple of crucial errors to skipper Kurt Gidley at fullback cruelled any chance for NSW in the final five minutes.
"Bit embarrassed," said Gidley.
"Unfortunately there was a couple of errors from myself which is a little disappointing.
"I think we showed a lot of passion in the second half to come back the way we did and there was plenty of positive signs there."
The only negative for Queensland was the loss of centre Justin Hodges to a medial ligament injury in his right knee in the first half.
Queensland 28 Greg Inglis (2), Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Johnathan Thurston tries; Johnathan Thurston (4) goals
New South Wales 18 Jared Hayne, Ben Creagh, Craig Wing tries; Kurt Gidley (3) goals
- AAP
