Three tries from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow put Queensland on course for a 38-10 victory in Sydney in the opening match of this year’s State of Origin series; New South Wales saw debutant Joseph Suallii sent off for a high tackle on Reece Walsh just eight minutes into the match.
Last updated: 06/05/24 2:41 p.m.
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New South Wales were reduced to 12 men in the first 10 minutes of their clash with Queensland as Joseph Suaalii became only the sixth man to be sent off in State of Origin history.
New South Wales were reduced to 12 men in the first 10 minutes of their clash with Queensland as Joseph Suaalii became only the sixth man to be sent off in State of Origin history.
Joseph Suaalii’s first-half dismissal proved costly for New South Wales as Queensland triumphed in the opener of this year’s State of Origin series.
Suaalii, one of five debutants in the Blues squad, was given his marching orders just eight minutes into the match in Sydney for a high tackle on Maroons full-back Reece Walsh.
The visitors also took advantage of this numerical advantage, with a hat-trick of tries from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, two from Ben Hunt and one from Xavier Coates securing a 38-10 victory.
Defending champions Queensland had taken the lead with both sides still having 13 on the field after Daly Cherry-Evans’ burst out of dummy half set up Hunt for the opening try in the fifth minute.
New South Wales, with former New Zealand head coach Michael Maguire at the helm for the first time, were then dealt a bigger blow when Samoan international Suaalii was sent off by referee Ashley Klein for his high shot over Walsh which saw the Maroons man sent off. Game.
Valentine Holmes scored the first of her seven goals from the resulting penalty, but NSW hit back in the 14th minute through a James Tedesco try which was converted by Nicho Hynes.
However, it was as close as the Blues got for the remainder of the match and Queensland took the initiative with two tries in the space of five minutes from Tabuai-Fidow.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored three tries for Queensland as they beat New South Wales in State of Origin Match I.
Trailing 20-6 at half-time, New South Wales were quickest out of the blocks when play resumed, crossing again in the 44th minute through Zac Lomax.
Despite their best efforts with a man down, the Maroons proved too strong and Hunt scored his second try of the match in the 67th minute.
Coates scored 10 minutes from time and Tabuai-Fidow’s converted try in the final minute sealed the biggest win in Queensland’s history in Sydney.
History is on Billy Slater’s side as they attempt to retain the Origin Shield for the third year in a row, with New South Wales’ only series win after losing the opener in Sydney 30 years ago years.
And after?
The Women’s State of Origin series takes center stage on Thursday with Game 2 between New South Wales and Queensland taking place at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event (shot dispatch at 10:45 a.m.).
The men’s series continues on Wednesday June 26 when the Blues and Maroons clash at the MCG in Melbourne. This match is also live on Sky Sports (kick-off 11:45).
