Updated May 26, 2011 00:29:00 Origin shocks are becoming a rarity in the last six years.
But despite Queensland's somewhat predictable 16-12 victory in the series opener on Wednesday night, it was New South Wales which provided the surprise.
With the game on the line and the typical Origin arm wrestle at its most tense and pivotal moment, the Blues were the side that responded.
So often it is Queensland that makes its name during this period. And the Maroons had more than enough chances to do so in Brisbane.
For nearly five minutes the Maroons pounded the visitors' line, forcing a handful of repeat sets and sending the Blues' back three scrambling to clear the seemingly never-ending, probing kicks from the likes of Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer and Cam Smith.
The Blues' tremendous goal-line stance proved the catalyst to make a daring sprint for victory after Thurston uncharacteristically missed a penalty goal from point blank range.
New South Wales scored two tries in the space of four minutes and took a 12-10 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Unfortunately for the Blues, the headlines will only say what happened in those dying stages.
Queensland scored and won the game. Again, no shocks there.
In the end the hosts' triumph relied on that much-vaunted Queensland passion, but mostly it was a combination of cool heads and pure class - the result of building a team around the brilliant spine of Lockyer, Thurston, Smith and Billy Slater.
"To the boys credit they kept believing," Maroons warhorse Petero Civoniceva told Grandstand in the immediate wash-up.
"I think it was a lot of calm heads, I think that was the most pleasing part about it.
"The boys have got that great combination that has been built over the last five seasons."
Blues alive
The Blues should take solace from what was nearly a remarkable win.
To borrow a metaphor from the classic comedy sitcom Seinfeld, New South Wales' current Origin plight is like trying to knock over a vending machine.
"You can't do it in one push, you've got to rock it back and forth a few times, and then it goes over."
The Maroons took a few shoves tonight and it is hard to find where coach Ricky Stuart could make changes except in the pack.
Queensland's front row of Civoniceva and the outstanding Matt Scott helped the home side completely dominate.
Scott had 15 hit-ups for 155 metres, four tackle breaks and 23 tackles while the 35-year-old Civoniceva boasted the same amount of runs for 146 metres.
Their starting counterparts Jason King (four hit-ups for 25 metres) and Kade Snowden (six runs for 56 metres) will likely be embarrassed with their return on the big stage.
In contrast, young full-back Josh Dugan stepped up in the limelight.
The livewire debutant was forced to hold his nerve to defuse an early bombarding from Queensland, but did so with aplomb.
New South Wales' backline also functioned smoothly when given a chance with ball in hand and a few set pieces nearly wielded points, and did so in the case of Michael Jenning's try.
Jamie Soward's first taste of Origin football was an unspectacular one and his premier kicking game was interestingly shelved early on as his more experienced partner Mitchell Pearce took over the majority of kicking duties.
But his number six jersey is one he will grow into, and his accomplishments with the Dragons still suggest it will be a good fit.
Another first-gamer Akuila Uate also showed his explosive pace and willingness to get involved, a characteristic which will serve the Blues well sooner rather than later.
Apart from the supreme efforts of their forward pack and the smarts of their play makers a few other moments stood out for the Queenslanders.
Darius Boyd looked to have a personal vendetta against Blues centre and St George Illawarra team-mate Mark Gasnier.
The makeshift winger made it clear the Origin bragging rights were well in the Maroons' grasp in Gasnier's return to the representative scene since his sojourn in French rugby.
Inside of Boyd, Willie Tonga battled on bravely for the majority of the evening with a shoulder injury.
But perhaps rookie Dane Nielsen summed up best what is meant to play for Queensland.
"Best experience of my life," said the Storm centre who will almost certainly lose his spot to fit again Test centre Greg Inglis for Origin II.
"I'm just glad I got to play one. It was a childhood dream, the experience I've had with the boys has been awesome.
"If I get the chance to do it again, so be it. But if not, I'll always remember it."
Whether Nielsen is in Sydney or not, the Blues will be and are every chance of breaking down the barrier.
Tags: sport, rugby-league, state-of-origin, australia, nsw, qld, brisbane-4000
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