New South Wales Blues got off to a winning start in the 2008 State of Origin series thanks to a commanding performance from the forwards. They were on the score sheet as quickly as the 4th minute with a try to Anthony Quinn, converted by Craig Fitzgibbon, this was followed on 18 minutes with Quinn’s second try and then on 35 minutes the Blues extended their lead with a try to Brett Stewart . Right on 40 minutes Queensland got onto the score sheet with a try to Brent Tate giving the half-time score of 14-4.

The second half and things tightened up and it was not until the 68th minute that Anthony Laffranchi put the game beyond the Maroons. Though they did have the consolation of a converted try in the dying moments of the game to Israel Folau, converted by Johnathan Thurston and a final score of:

New South Wales Blues 18 Queensland Maroons 10

The next game will be in the Suncorp Stadium on the 11 June, with the final game back in ANZ Stadium on July 02.

NSW Blues Team:
B. StewartJ. HayneM. GasnierM. CooperA. QuinnG. BirdP. WallaceB. WhiteD. BuderusC. FitzgibbonW. MasonR. HoffmanP. GallenB. HornbyA. LaffranchiA. TupouB. Cross

Queensland Maroons Team:
B. SlaterB. TateG. InglisJ. HodgesI. FolauK. HuntJ. ThurstonC. WebbC. SmithP. CivonicevaM. CrockerS. ThaidayD. JohnsonB. HannantN. MylesP. MarshJ. Lillyman