LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
In a thrilling Origin I match, the Westpac NSW Blues emerged victorious against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium, replicating their success from last year's decider, where they claimed a historic 14-4 win.
This match highlighted a challenging trend for the Maroons: historically, since the inception of the three-game series in 1982, only 11 out of 42 teams that lost the first game have gone on to win the series.
The pressure is now on Queensland to win both Game Two in Perth and Game Three in Sydney.
The 2024 opener marked the first game at Suncorp since 2019, with Queensland's coach Billy Slater fielding a revamped lineup featuring debutants Trent Loiero, Robert Toia, and Beau Fermor.
Despite the new faces, the Maroons struggled to make an impact and were outclassed by the formidable NSW team.
The Blues dictated play from the onset, ultimately securing an 18-6 victory and reaffirming their dominance in the series.