Queensland Maroons winger Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored a hattrick to help his side claim a 38-10 win over the NSW Blues in game 1 of the State of Origin last night.
Playmaker Valentine Holmes was also on point with his kicking game successfully converting all the 6 tries scored by the Maroons and one penalty kick at goal.
The Blues suffered a setback early in the match as utility back Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i, who was making his Origin debut, was sent off in the 7th minute.
The Maroons took an early 8 points lead after Ben Hunt opened the scoring in the 4th minute followed by a penalty kick by Holmes in the 9th minute before the Blues replied with a converted try through fullback James Tedesco to trail 8-6.
Tabuai-Fidow then scored two converted tries in the 18th and 23rd minutes to extend their lead to 20-6 at the break.
The Blues started the second half well with an unconverted try to Zac Lomax but the Maroons came back stronger and scored three more converted tries to Hunt, Xavier Coates and Tabuai-Fidow for the win.
Game 2 of the State of Origin will be on the 26th of this month.
