• Match report
• As it happened

It started with an offload from James Tamou, featured a pin-point kick from Josh Dugan and ended in the perfect bounce for Josh Morris as the Blues put in an early entry for try-of-the-series in the Origin opener.

After 19 minutes of play at ANZ Stadium, the Maroons were beginning to dicate terms. Cooper Cronk had already scored and the Queenslanders were smelling blue blood in Sydney.

If the NSW faithful were fearing the worst, a trio of big plays from a trio of players would change the course of the first 40 minutes, putting on a long-range try that goes straight to the highlight reel.

First Tamou smashed his way through the line, holding up the ball for Dugan, who scorched away to cut through the Maroons line.

He had been called out as a potential game-breaker for the Blues and he had an early chance to produce the goods.

With Maroons fullback Billy Slater closing, Dugan dropped it on the boot as he saw Morris chasing hard down the right flank.

The bounce couldn't have been any better. Darius Boyd looked to have it covered for Queensland before it sprung up off the turf and straight into the arms of Morris, who glided over before giving the salute to the waiting cameras.

Calls for Slater to be penalised for a shoulder charge on Dugan fell on deaf ears but the Blues were already celebrating as they charged back into the contest.

Slater owns one of the great kick-chase tries in Origin history, when he did it all himself playing as a winger back in 2004. This time, he could only watch as another one unfolded.