Home State I: Queensland v New South Wales – Maroons win in biggest upset in 25 years

State of Origin has produced another miracle with Queensland causing one of the largest ambushes ever seen in traditional rivalry.

The game came down to the final play after Queensland exploded in the second half to score three attempts in 15 minutes.

Those 15 minutes now seem destined to become another chapter in Queensland Origin folklore as they went from 10-0 down in the 49th minute to win the most unlikely of 18-14 victories.

It’s the biggest surprise State of Origin has seen since Paul Vautin led his team to a 3-0 sweep with astronomical odds in 1995.

Wayne Bennett’s 2020 Queensland team was not much different from the non-hopers of 25 years ago. And like Vautin’s team, these Maroons will take a 1-0 series lead to Game 2 in Sydney on Wednesday, November 11.

While everyone in rugby league gave them no chance in the series opener at Adelaide Oval, they clearly believed, even as they were trailing 10-0 at halftime.

Queensland legend Darren Lockyer also believed – making a ridiculous prediction at halftime that Queensland would win if he scored first in the second half – even though he nearly shot out of the park in the first half.

Channel 9’s James Bracey revealed full-time that Lockyer predicted Queensland’s comeback before the start of the second half.

“You came out of the set after the first half break and said the first points in the second half win the game,” Bracey said.

“You chose it and you knew the momentum was there with your team.”

Lockyer replied: “We came from the clouds. We had a lot of back injuries and look at Xavier Coates and Kurt Capewell.”

“I just thought the first few points were critical. I thought with the 10-0 Blues, I felt like they felt like they should have been 20-0 up and they went out and followed the moves and we took them off.

“Once the Queenslanders started to believe they could win, that’s when they found another team.”

Queensland came back from halftime on a different side and in the space of 15 minutes they turned the 2020 series around.

The Blues finished in a grandstand with a late attempt by Josh Addo-Carr, but the Queensland defense held firm in the tense final two minutes.

With the Blues looking to deliver a fatal blow in the final seconds, the Maroons were reduced to 12 men when Felise Kaufusi was sent to the trash.

Even with everything going against them, this Queensland team held their own.

For the Blues there was only regret and pain, particularly for the central pairing of Jack Wighton and Clint Gutherson, with both stars playing out of their usual positions.

Weak defensive woes by the Blues centers spearheaded the woes engulfing Brad Fittler’s team.

There was also a torrent of criticism directed at halves Nathan Cleary and Luke Keary after they failed to take control in the second half and also failed to create attacking opportunities.

His calm performances were particularly exposed by his Maroons opponents with Cameron Munster one of the best players on the field, while Maroons running back Daly Cherry-Evans was the man of the match.

Cherry-Evans was everywhere when Queensland took the lead in the second half.

“Look at these Maroon jerseys, there’s a real Origin feel to this now and NSW is not comfortable with it,” said Channel 9’s Phil Gould.

“The Maroons are hitting it. NSW are not comfortable playing this way. They are much more comfortable when they can walk through their plays and structures in the frontcourt. They are not enjoying all this hard work that comes out of themselves. . finish.

“Queensland is coming for them.”

Previously, Queensland had sensationally had two attempts in the space of four minutes when Dane Gagai set up a monstrous attempt for rookie Xavier Coates.

Just minutes after Maroons center Kurt Capewell made a try pulling his NSW opponent aside, Gagi repeated the feat when he passed Jack Wighton before taking out Blues fullback James Tedesco and pass Coates by the wing.

Queensland finally got on the board in the 50th minute when Capewell set up a thrilling long-range try for AJ Brimson.

It was just one of the painful issues that Blues coach Brad Fittler will have to address before Game 2.

All of the State of Origin I action between Queensland and New South Wales.

EARLIER

Queensland has confirmed that Panthers star Kurt Capewell will make his State of Origin debut in Game 1.

Capewell suffered a soft tissue injury earlier in the week but was cleared to play on Wednesday.

He was expected to be named at the centers when the official team cards arrived after 7:00 p.m.

“Receiving the jersey and being able to play for Queensland and represent my state is a dream come true. I look forward to making my family and my state proud,” Capewell said.

Capewell was excluded earlier this week from Wayne Bennett’s team, but was included in the expanded 19-man squad.

Queensland has also confirmed that rookie center Brenko Lee is out with a calf injury after Bennett was forced to undergo a late reorganization of the team.

Lee was seen limping on the Adelaide Oval during a fitness test just an hour before kickoff.

Fox League’s Lara Pitt posted on Twitter: “Brenko Lee just limped out of the Adelaide Oval after testing her calf. Looks like she’s missing.”

The news was confirmed on the official team sheet which saw Lee leave the team and Phillip Sami return for the wing and Dane Gagai returned to the centers to cover Lee’s loss.

Lee suffered a calf injury earlier this week, but coach Wayne Bennett said Lee would play.

Lee was also tested Tuesday and cleared to play by Queensland medical officials.

– news.com.au