Game 1 of the 2024 State of Origin series is done and dusted.
77,214 fans packed into Accor Stadium in Sydney for the opener, as New South Wales aimed to get off to a strong start at home against Queensland.
Here's how it all panned out.
State of Origin: Score, result for Game 1 between NSW and QLD
It was Queensland who emerged victorious last night, securing an emphatic 38-10 win.
The Maroons struck during their first visit into NSW's half, with Daly Cherry-Evans craftily finding Ben Hunt for the opening try.
Minutes later, the match was flipped on its head when Blues debutant Joseph Suaalii hit opposition fullback Reece Walsh late with a nasty high shot.
He was given his marching orders by Ashley Klein – the earliest send-off in Origin history – and left NSW with 12 men for the remaining 72 minutes.
Walsh exited the field and did not return.
With the crowd still in shock, James Tedesco got to a Jarome Luai grubber first to put the Blues within two points.
However, Queensland quickly made use of their numerical advantage, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow streaking away for two tries within five minutes of each other, giving the visitors a commanding 20-6 half-time lead.
NSW came out of the sheds with a mission, as Zac Lomax snatched down a high-ball to shrink the gap in the 43rd minute.
In fact, the Blues arguably outplayed their rivals for large periods of the second half.
Eventually though, the Maroons flexed their muscle, scoring three tries in the last 20 minutes – via Hunt, Tabuai-Fidow and Xavier Coates – to put the match to bed.
Watch the match highlights below:
Match Highlights 🎥 - Origin I
— NRL (@NRL) June 5, 2024
A record-equaling effort from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow helped the Maroons draw first blood in the 2024 Origin series! pic.twitter.com/NYxuOxe3HP
State of Origin: Who was Man of the Match in Game 1?
Daly Cherry-Evans received Man of the Match honours following Wednesday's night's opener.
The Queensland captain recorded two try assists, ran for 138 metres and kicked a 40/20 in a seriously impressive performance.
State of Origin press conference: What did the coaches say?
The major talking point of last night's clash was Suaalii's send-off for a high shot on Walsh.
New Blues coach Michael Maguire questioned whether it was the right call to give the debutant his marching orders.
"Earlier on in the year I think [Walsh] ended up with a broken jaw and there was no send-off ... it’s a big call at this level," he said.
"He [Walsh] was falling ... I’d have to have another look at it but I think it was a massive call for a game like this."
MORE: Suaalii receives heavy ban after high shot
Queensland coach Billy Slater, on the other hand, opted to stay quiet on the matter.
"I’ll keep my feelings about that [tackle] to myself," he said.
State of Origin player ratings
Despite some positional changes following Walsh's exit, the Maroons performed strongly across the board.
Check out our Queensland player ratings here.
The Blues were always up against it following Suaalii's send-off, but showed some fight in the second half.
Have a look at our NSW player ratings here.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
