Blues underperform as Maroons collapse beneath them.

Wednesday saw the first game of this years State of Origin series, as well as the last representative game Billy Slater will play for a long while. But Slater was not the only culprit having a shocker, as an out of position Karmichael Hunt showed why he won’t be following the same career path as Darren Lockyer. With the Brisbane five-eighth injured, Scott Prince was duly overlooked by selectors as Hunt was considered too good to lose. With other positions occupied he was thrown the No6 jersey and, I assume, was told to hope for the best.

However, this wasn’t the selector’s only mistake, according to Phil Gould on Channel Nine. Don’t ask me what difference it makes but debutant Israel Folau should have played on the opposite wing to the one he played. Personally, and as a hard-grafting forward myself, I fail to see the difference between left and right especially as a debutant with little cohesion and social interaction with his centres. But who am I to question a former Origin coach’s opinion?

On the other side of the pitch however, Peter Wallace showed his capabilities as an Origin player with a very good performance in the scrum half role. He and Greg Bird linked up effortlessly to combine and provide quality ball to either side of the park, with Bird adding the extra quality of a personal stunning defensive effort. Another debutant who made an impact was Anthony Quinn, who also scored the game’s first two tries as well as denying Brent Tate a try in the corner late in the second half. Credit must also go to coach Craig Bellamy, who planned a tactical win against many of his Melbourne players playing for the maroons.

So what now for game two? Well if I were a Queensland selector I would get Darren Lockyer on the park no matter how fit he is. He combines well with Thurston and has done for a long time. Its no wonder they are both Australia’s first choice five eighth and halfback. If Lockyer is unavailable they must go for Scott Prince at five eighth before they go 2-0 down in the series. I would also keep Karmichael Hunt in at fullback with Slater being dropped or left in Melbourne.

As for NSW, I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. But if all the above happens, Queensland will, on paper at least, crush NSW.