Down by eight at the break, Queensland remained patient and overran NSW in the second stanza to take a 1-0 series lead at Suncorp Stadium with an 18-14 victory.
Winger Dane Gagai's two tries in the final 15 minutes were the difference as the Maroons came to life after a sluggish start.
A number of missed opportunities in the first half would have irked coach Kevin Walters, with his side's poor execution making it tough on themselves.
MORE: State of Origin – NSW Blues player ratings
Regardless, they exploited NSW's left edge with aplomb and will go into Origin II in Perth on June 23 confident of snatching back the Shield.
See how each player fared in their promising start.
KALYN PONGA - 8.5
Does this kid ever get flustered?
The 21-year-old looked right at home in Queensland's No.1 jumper as he set up two second-half tries to pull off the comeback.
Heavily involved from the get-go, he proved more dangerous the longer the match wore on.
COREY OATES - 6.5
Botched a try in the first stanza by planting a boot on the sideline but made amends with a spectacular finish to get Queensland on the board.
Carried the ball strongly as always in a solid performance.
MICHAEL MORGAN - 5.5
Didn't look entirely comfortable defending in the centres, missing three tackles and directly conceding the first try to Josh Morris.
Limited impact in attack and could be better served as the side's utility.
WILL CHAMBERS - 7.5
Outpointed Latrell Mitchell, breezing past his rival with ease on several occasions as NSW's left edge defence broke down.
Bombed two tries in the first half with poor passing options, however, seeming to panic when he was in the clear.
Much improved in defence compared to last year's opener, making 20 tackles and missing only two as Mitchell's impact was nullified.
DANE GAGAI - 9.5
The match winner.
Two tries, 270 metres and 14 tackles with no misses tells the story of his sublime night.
CAMERON MUNSTER - 7
Not quite as electric as we know he can be but got the job done nonetheless.
Has the enviable knack of making things happen, as he showed with a special line break in the first half.
DALY CHERRY-EVANS - 7.5
The Maroons captaincy agrees with Cherry-Evans, who displayed great composure – especially when the Blues were on top.
Kicked well and didn't overplay his hand.
Incredible considering it was his first match in five weeks following an ankle injury.
JAI ARROW - 6.5
Quiet in his first stint but lifted considerably in the second half to finish with more than 100 run metres.
May have felt the effects of the quadriceps injury he carried into the game.
BEN HUNT - 8
Sensational 80-minute effort from a bloke who plays halfback at club level.
Defended stoutly – making a huge 53 tackles – and picked his times to dart from dummy-half well.
Passing from the deck needs to improve a little, though, with a few balls hitting the ground.
JOSH PAPALII - 8
Terrific display from the reliable big man.
Began the match well and helped turn the tide in Queensland's favour with some line-bending carries.
FELISE KAUFUSI - 7.5
Let no-one down as usual and was among the Maroons' best forwards.
Racked up 121 metres and 33 tackles in a strong all-round showing.
MATT GILLETT - 5
Stifled in attack but it was a huge achievement for Gillett to return to the Origin arena after his scary neck injury last year.
Missed seven tackles, so will need to shore up his 'D' before the second clash.
JOSH MCGUIRE - 7.5
Punched out almost 60 minutes in a typically tough effort.
Made for Origin, this bloke.
MOSES MBYE - 4
No real opportunities but held his own in the eight minutes he saw.
JOE OFAHENGAUE - 7
Great entrance to the Origin arena and one would suspect he'll wear the Maroons jersey for years to come.
The prop's match was cut short with a deep cut to the knee.
DYLAN NAPA - 4
Bobbled a certain try in the first half and missed almost as many tackles as he made (completed 10, missed seven).
Should retain his place given the win, however.
DAVID FIFITA - 6.5
Played in the under-20s Origin last year but was not out of place at all in the main event.
Credit to Kevin Walters for choosing the 19-year-old.