New South Wales (8) 22
Tries: Hayne, Watmough, Idris, Creagh
Goals: Lyon 4

Queensland (12) 28
Tries: Boyd, Slater, Lockyer, Inglis, Thaiday
Goals: Thurston 4

By Phil Harlow

Thurston was in a class of his own in Sydney

Queensland took a major stride towards a fifth consecutive State of Origin series victory as they triumphed in game one against New South Wales.

Peerless half-back Johnathan Thurston was at the heart of their win, having a hand in all five Queensland tries.

Jarryd Hayne's early try put NSW ahead but Thurston burst into life to create tries for Darius Boyd and Billy Slater.

Darren Lockyer, Greg Inglis and Sam Thaiday added tries for the Maroons, and NSW's comeback came too late.

The annual three-match series, widely regarded as the most intense games of rugby on the planet, has been in Queensland possession since 2006, and Mal Meninga's side sent out an ominous warning with a comprehensive win at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Once again, Thurston - so many times the scourge of England and Great Britain at Test level - ran through his full repertoire of skills on the big stage, despite the heavy rain.

With 68,000 fans in the stadium, Hayne gave the home crowd something to shout about as he took advantage of a Boyd error to dot down after an inadvertent Thurston boot had played him onside.

But the Blues' lead was shortlived as Thurston's superb improvised pass out of contact allowed Boyd the easiest of runs to the line.

606: DEBATE Full credit to Qld...they play more like a team and generally have their wits about them unlike NSW Linebreaker

Former St Helens favourite Jamie Lyon kicked a penalty to put NSW ahead again, but Thurston soon regained the spotlight as his skilful kick ahead bounced perfectly into Slater's path for the full-back to score.

NSW just about held out until half-time as Inglis was held up over the line by Hayne and Timana Tahu's combined tackle at the end of another precise Queensland attack.

The Blues through the NRL's latest sensation Jamal Idris into the fray after the break, and the youngster made some useful contributions on his Origin debut.

But it was not long before Queensland were extending their lead as Thurston's flat pass allowed David Shillington to take contact and offload to Lockyer, who cruised in for the score.

NSW did cut the gap as Kurt Gidley finally got into the game with a telling run to set up the position for Lyon to dab a kick over the top, and Anthony Watmough snaffled the loose ball to grab the try.

Another Queensland try came when Thurston, Inglis and Boyd linked up on the left-hand side to give Inglis the space to get over.

NSW made too many mistakes at the ANZ Stadium

And Thurston's magical display continued as he stripped Gidley of the ball in a one-on-one tackle before giving a straightforward pass for tryscorer Thaiday.

The prospect of Queensland running in an embarrassing total seemed to concentrate NSW minds, and they grabbed a fine try through debutant Idris after a clever Lyon offload.

With time running out, Ben Creagh grabbed another Blues try - albeit controversially after appearing to knock-on - but it only made the scoreboard more flattering for an outclassed NSW side, rather than altering the result.

"It was very professional, I was very happy with how we played. We played together and played as a team," said Queensland coach Meninga.

"We were very patient, played good field position, controlled possession and we thoroughly deserved our victory.

"I don't think the score indicated the difference between the two sides. Our senior men were tremendous. They gave us direction and their kicking game was fantastic. You couldn't hope for a better performance in what were very trying conditions. It was very satisfying."

The two teams meet in the second game of the series in Brisbane on 16 June.

NSW: Kurt Gidley (c); Brett Morris, Matt Cooper, Timana Tahu, Jarryd Hayne; Jamie Lyon, Brett Kimmorley; Michael Weyman, Michael Ennis, Josh Perry; Trent Waterhouse, Ben Creagh; Anthony Watmough.
Replacements: Jamal Idris, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Luke Lewis, Brett White.

Queensland: Billy Slater; Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Willie Tonga, Israel Folau; Darren Lockyer (c), Johnathan Thurston; Matthew Scott, Matt Ballin, Petero Civoniceva; Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday; Ashley Harrison.
Replacements: Cooper Cronk, David Shillington, Neville Costigan, David Taylor.

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