Time and time again in State of Origin’s 43-year history, Queensland have found a way to win the unwinnable. On Wednesday night, in the series opener at Adelaide Oval, before a crowd of 48,613, the Maroons did it again, defending desperately and clawing back the lead three times in the second half to secure a 26-18 victory over New South Wales and put one hand firmly on the Origin shield – again.
The Blues had picked a strong side knowing full well that in Origin, over 70% of the time the team that wins Game One wins the series. Blues coach Brad Fittler knew victory in was more important for NSW than Queensland, who could go one-down and still run onto Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on 21 June as favourites.
