New South Wales have romped to a 28-4 win over Queensland in the opening match of the State of Origin series in Brisbane.
It was the Blues' biggest Origin win over Queensland in Brisbane, eclipsing their 32-10 game three romp in 2005.
It was also the first time NSW had won a series opener since 2014 - the last year the Blues won the Origin trophy.
The Blues ran in five tries to one but coach Laurie Daley is not getting too excited at the result knowing the Reds are set to get Johnathan Thurston and possibly Billy Slater back next game.
New South Wales' Andrew Fifita brushes off Queensland defenders. Photo: Photosport
An Andrew Fifita-inspired Blues outfit showed no mercy to a Queensland side missing more than 100 Origin games' worth of experience without Thurston, Slater, Matt Scott, Corey Parker and Greg Inglis.
Daly has endured several false dawns as Queensland rumbled along to claim 10 of the last 11 Origin series.
Thurston's likely return from a shoulder injury for Origin II in Sydney on June 21st and speculation Slater may join him already has Daley wary of another Maroons ambush.
"We caught Queensland on an off night," said Daley, in his fifth year as NSW coach.
"The game comes down to critical moments and we hadn't been winning those but we did tonight.
"But that can change pretty quickly.
"Queensland will have Thurston back and I don't know what they are going to do with Billy but if they come back they are a different team."
Champion five-eighth Thurston is hoping to return from injury in North Queensland's next NRL clash against Parramatta on June 10th
Slater's Origin comeback may also gain momentum again after NSW No.1 James Tedesco outplayed Queensland's Test fullback Darius Boyd.
Slater was controversially overlooked for game one despite making a successful comeback from a second shoulder reconstruction.
"Queensland are at their dangerous best when they hit adversity," Daley said.
"Losing JT obviously disrupted them but they will come back harder and our guys need to be ready for that."
Daley said NSW would be keeping a lid on expectations despite the rare chance to seal a series win at home.
"Origin is completely different to clubland," he said.
"If you clock off for one moment you get found out.
"And we have so much respect for this great Queensland team."
