Just when NSW's old habits looked set to bring them undone, a bright new wave of talent turned the tide and the complexion of the 2026 State of Origin series.
The Blues are 1-0 up in the best-of-three series following a heroic come-from-behind 22-20 win in the Origin opener at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.
But NSW were on the ropes after 20 minutes, down 20-0 thanks to their own yardage errors and some brilliance from Maroons rookie Sam Walker.
When Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow waltzed in for Queensland's third try, the Blues were completing at 57 per cent and had not yet played the ball in the visitor's red zone.
Starting props Addin Fonua-Blake and Mitch Barnett combined for just 33 metres in their first stints, and even the ultra-reliable Brian To'o made three first-half errors out of yardage.
