Queensland Maroons post win over New South Wales Blues in State of Origin thriller

Doubles for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo in a seesawing State of Origin series opener that saw the lead change four times helped Queensland to a memorable 26-18 win over New South Wales.

The win means Billy Slater’s team head back to Brisbane next month with a golden chance on home soil at Suncorp Stadium to seal a series victory inside two games.

The Maroons jumped to an early lead in front of a sizeable crowd in South Australia through the first of two tries each for Tabuai-Fidow and Cobbo, only for Liam Martin, from the Blues bench, to reduce the arrears before half-time.

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Brad Fittler’s side hit the front for the first time through Apisai Koroisau after the break but a second for Cobbo just before the hour mark put the 23-time series winners in the ascendancy once again.

A bomb from Nathan Cleary’s boot found its way into the hands of Stephen Crichton, who touched down to level the score at 16-16 on 68 minutes and when Cleary nailed the high-pressure kick, NSW led once again.

With Tom Flegler sin-binned for a shoulder charge and Queensland down a man, it looked bleak for the Maroons but a storming run through the Blues’ defence from Tabuai-Fidow snatched the lead back for a final time before Cameron Munster added a gloss to the scoreline with time running out.

Angus Fontaine’s full report to follow.