Maroons spoil Blues homecoming to take series opener

Queensland star Cameron Munster stole the show as the Maroons spoiled NSW's return to Accor Stadium, upsetting the Blues 16-10 to take a 1-0 series lead.

In front of 80,512 fans at Sydney's Olympic Park, the Maroons, led by Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans and debutant Patrick Carrigan, dominated on their own terms with big moment plays helping Queensland to a special win.

The Blues enjoyed the field possession early to take a 4-0 lead but the injection of Carrigan in the 15th minute swung momentum Queensland's way and from there the visitors came up with points and NSW struggled to take any control in the match.

The Maroons led 6-4 at halftime and this is the Maroon’s first under new coach Billy Slater and following their 2-1 series loss last year.

Players will now return to their NRL clubs for the next two weeks before Origin sides for Game Two are selected.

Both sides will turn their attention to Perth's Optus Stadium, where the Blues last beat the Maroons in 2019 to level the series.

Game Two will be played on the 26th of this month.

NRL.com