State of Origin 2022: Queensland give coach Billy Slater the perfect start with 16-10 win over NSW Blues

Maroons legend Billy Slater may not have won his opening Origin game as a player, but his Queensland side have ensured he has began his coaching career on a winning note. A staunch defensive effort gave Queensland a 16-10 victory as a fervent sell-out crowd of 80,512 at Accor Stadium was silennced by the noisy neighbours from up north. On a cold, blustery night in Sydney, Queensland weathered an opening half storm to hold off a late Blues surge to claim game one of the 2022 State of Origin Series. The game came down to the final play, as Isaah Yeo was brought down just metres from the line and the visitors hung on to claim a thrilling victory. The Blues entered the game as defending champions and got the perfect start when Jack Wighton powered through a pair of attempted tackles on the left edge to cross for the game’s opening score. Patrick Carrigan almost made his Origin debut even more memorable when the Queenslander muscled his way over the try-line, but some frantic pack defence prevented him from touching the ball down. While the game was marked by tenacious defence, it burst into life late in the opening period as the racious crowd was kept on tenterhooks in the shadows of half-time. New South Wales thought they had doubled their lead when Daniel Tupou reeled in a high ball deep in enemy territory and fed captain James Tedesco to cross, but the pass was deemed to be forward. It proved pivotal moments later, when Selwyn Cobbo found space on the right wing and smartly grubbered a kick for Dane Gagai to chase down and score for Queensland. Junior Paulo thought he had re-taken the lead for New South Wales when he crashed over from close range, but senior review officer Grant Atkins intervened, ruling Cameron Murray had obstructed the defence in the lead-up. New South Wales’ previously-stout defence turned to water in the second half, as Melbourne star Cam Munster stormed in behind enemy lines and from the resulting phases, Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans skipped across the line untouched to score under the posts. Then, Kalyn Ponga picked out Holmes five metres out and the centre danced across the line, although his missed conversion left the door ajar slightly for a comeback. The hosts kept knocking on the door and despite some resolute defence keeping them at bay, Murray reduced the deficit with a concerted try with eight minutes to play, before Yeo fell agonisingly short of a last-gasp try. New South Wales 10 (Tries: Wighton, Murray. Conversion: Cleary 1-2) Queensland 16 (Tries: Gagai, Cherry-Evans, Holmes. Conversions: Holmes 2-3) Referees: Ashley Klein, Phil Henderson, Dave Munro, Grant Atkins Crowd: 80,512 at Accor Stadium