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State of Origin: Horror night for Queensland Maroons after record loss to NSW Blues

Murray WenzelAAP
Tom Trbojevic scored three tries in the Blues's 50-6 thrashing of Queensland in State of Origin.
Camera IconTom Trbojevic scored three tries in the Blues's 50-6 thrashing of Queensland in State of Origin. Credit: AAP

Injuries, health scares and underdog status - it was all pointing to another against-the-odds Queensland State of Origin triumph.

But somebody forgot to tell the NSW side, who turned Townsville’s historic night into a historic Queensland hiding.

The Maroons’ horror preparation followed them into the series opener on Wednesday in a 50-6 loss that was the Blues’ biggest win over the Maroons.

Christian Welch was gone after just 12 minutes following a head clash and debutant Kyle Feldt then gift-wrapped the Blues’ first try.

The winger inexplicably bumped opposite number Josh Addo-Carr off a ball the NRL’s fastest man was never going to track down, the Blues scoring from the ensuing penalty.

Then Cameron Munster kicked on the last, not hearing the six-again call as they threatened an immediate reply.

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Fumbles followed the hosts while Tariq Sims managed one of the passes of his career as the Blues crossed again.

Tom Trbojevic was as elusive and ever-present as Maroons fans feared, fellow centre Latrell Mitchell as devastating.

The Blues managed 23 line-breaks to the Maroons’ 10, six missed tackles to the Maroons’ 18, six line breaks to one and almost 50 more post-contact metres to lead 20-6 at half time.

More senseless play from Joe Ofahengaue was followed by more Mitchell-Trbojevic brilliance to start the second half, the former grubbering to the latter for another try.

Trbojevic crossed again and Mitchell followed, Xavier Coates making a mess of a high ball as the blooper reel grew longer.

That man Trbojevic completed his trifecta, while reports on Kyle Feldt, Moeaki Fotuaika and Munster will ensure more headaches for first-year coach Paul Green ahead of Game II in Brisbane on June 27.

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