With the inaugural North vs. South match giving QLD coach, Jelly Adams, plenty of ideas for his squad- the 2003 Origin series was set to be the most competitive to date, and game one was shaping up as Queensland's first opportunity to score a win since Game Three of the 2001/2002 series.

A last minute reshuffle had Craig Wing run-on in five eighth, with Brad Fittler playing lock, and shock omission, Danny Buderus back in the squad for the match. The ball sailed high from Lockyer's kick off, and right from the kick-off it was clear that a real spiteful encounter was in the offing. Freddy Fittler didn't mess around either, stepping nimbly around Tonie Carroll on the third to make a promising upfield run, which ended when David Lyons fumbled the inside pass. The ball didn't stay in Queensland hands long, Gorden Tallis blowing up at his team-mates after an awful dummy half pass from Shaun Berrigan was put down by the Raging Bull.

The QLD forwards dominated the opening exchanges however, in form Mark Tookey making some early impressions on Ryles and Bailey, as well as starting a promising raid that gave Queensland its first attacking set. They didn't score, Carroll unable to handle a short pass from Bowen, but there was no denying passionate captain, Gorden Tallis, when he rampaged over Hazem El Masri and Mark Gasnier to score the opening try. Schifcofske nonchalantly nailed the conversion, and it was 6-0 to the home side.

The try put some fire in NSW's defence, Jason Ryles cautioned for a high tackle on Darren Lockyer. The resulting penalty put the Queenslanders back on the attack, and it looked ominous when Shane Webcke strolled over out from a short Lockyer ball. However, much to the fans' disgust, it was called back after it was ruled that Kennedy was taken out by Tonie Carroll.

Despite the let off, NSW continued to be their own worst enemy, Ben Kennedy penalised for a sloppy play the ball only thirty out. The Queenslanders took a quick tap, and found space when they spread it wide. Tuqiri was able to stand up his man, and crashed over in the corner to score QLD's second try. Schifcofske's conversion attempt was waved away, but 12 minutes in the Queenslanders held a 10-0 lead.

When Fittler had to leave the field, with Menzies taking his place, things looked particularly grim. Tallis' wow game continued, the Central star running through a poor attempted tackle from Gasnier and rampaging downfield. Only a desperate tackle from Burke saved another try. Burke continued to be the thorn in the sides of QLD, his work at the back saving three possible tries, including a marvellous escape from his in goal despite the attentions of Mat Rogers, Clinton Schifcofske, and Brent Webb.

It was Tallis, QLD's best, who gave NSW their first real opportunity. Bringing the ball out of his own end, the big man fumbled the ball in a heavy tackle, and NSW acted as soon as they smelt blood in the water. Steve Menzies, at his barn-storming best, made a half break before offloading to surprise selection, Mark Gasnier, who outshone Tonie Carroll to score NSW's first. Andrew Johns nailed the difficult conversion, and it was game on at 10-6 with twelve to go.

It was Menzies all over again only five minutes later, the fast Manly captain showing plenty of flare when he dummied to Bowen, and then found himself in open pastures. This time he ignored inside man, Mark Gasnier, and instead grubbered ahead for a flying Shaun Timmins. The Central Coast utility collected the bouncing ball, and brought it around and under the posts. Johns had no trouble with the kick, and suddenly NSW lead 12-10.

The two tries in a short time seemed to have crushed Queensland's resolve, and with Gorden Tallis and Shane Webcke off, the Queenslanders lost a lot of starch heading into halftime. Once again it was NSW stupidity that aided Queensland, with Josh Perry penalised for holding down a player. Lockyer took a quick tap, and caught the NSW defence unawares to score out wide. Schifcofske again missed his conversion, but as the half-time siren went the Queenslanders lead a shock 14-12 lead.

HALFTIME: QLD 14 lead NSW 12

Tallis' re-injection into the game proved fatal for Queensland, as the big man dropped the ball from the spiralling Andrew Johns kick-off. The task was made nigh on impossible, given that Gasnier and Johns were breathing down Tallis' neck as he tried to take the swirling ball. David Lyons made him pay, breaking off from the scrum and making a break which ended with Andrew Johns scoring ten left of the upright. Surprisingly, the super boot shaved the upright with his attempt, and so NSW lead 16-14.

A penalty, awarded against Jason Ryles for another high tackle, gave Schifcofske a chance to equalise two sets later, and he did so to lock things up at 16 all. Rookie second rower, Travis Elken, was given a dream introduction to Origin football when he came on in the 47th. The big Townsville star came on and immediately jarred the ball loose from Lyons' hands, and then backed up a Darren Lockyer break to score a long distance try. While Elken and his team-mates celebrated, Schifcofske converted for a 22-16 lead, whilst Andrew Johns berated his players over their woeful marker defence.

Things then went awry for NSW, after captain Andrew Johns left the field after a heavy knock from team-mate, Scott Sattler. To salt the wound, the Blues' defence conceded four consecutive penalties for offside and play the ball infringements. With referee, Bill Harrigan, threatening a sin binning- the New South Welshmen grimly defended their line and weathered some intense pressure.

Even the return of Andrew Johns in the 52nd couldn't lift the Blues, as Justin Hodges got outside Mark Gasnier and began to out-distance the Carnarvon flyer. With Burke ahead, Hodges threw a blind pass which found Lockyer on the bounce. The Perth fullback finished the movement, and Schifcofske's conversion had things looking grim at 28-16.

John Hopoate's sin-binning in the 55th looked to have broken NSW's cause. Despite his reputation, Hopoate was unlucky to be sent, after he blew up when referee Bill Harrigan called back a try for a non-existent knock on. The big Brisbane winger vented, and was given ten just as Brad Fittler returned to try and spark something. Even the combination of Johns, Wing, Barrett, and Fittler on the field couldn't find a chink in Queensland's armour. The Maroons continually repelled raids with desperation defence and stinging hits from Webcke and Tookey.

When Justin Hodges out-leapt a clearly tired Burke in the 64th to score another QLD try, the game was clearly out of NSW's hands, Schifcofske converting to take Queensland's lead to eighteen at 34-16.

However, some inspirational work from Danny Buderus gave NSW some hope. From the kick-off, Buderus raced through and effected a bruising tackle on his Gold Coast team-mate, Matt Bowen, who lost the ball. Buderus' quick play the ball allowed Fittler to find Gasnier out wide, and the Carnarvon centre danced over where Bowen would have been defending. Johns again missed the conversion, leaving NSW fourteen adrift at 34-20.

The miracle comeback came a little closer from the kick-off. Niggling tactics from returning winger, John Hopoate, lured Justin Hodges into throwing a punch in NSW's next set. The Coffs Harbour centre was quickly outclassed by Hopoate, and then penalised for his troubles. The downfield kick put NSW right in action, Phil Waugh crashing over to score beside the posts. Johns was quick with the conversion, and with ten to go, NSW trailed 34-26.

Both sides began to play desperation football, with even the veterans making stupid decisions as they sought to win the game for their side. Lockyer showed plenty of intelligence in the 73rd however, calmly potting over a thirty metre field goal to make it 35-26 and return possession for his team.

Fittingly, the game finished with a NSW knock-on, David Lyons dropping the ball cold as Andrew Johns sought to engineer another NSW maneuver. The siren went, and QLD had won the opener 35-26 in dynamic style.

FULLTIME: QLD 35 defeated NSW 26

QUEENSLAND
Darren Lockyer 2
Gorden Tallis
Lote Tuqiri
Justin Hodges
Travis Elken
Schifcofske 5/7
Lockyer 1 fg.

NSW
Phil Waugh
Shaun Timmins
Andrew Johns
Mark Gasnier 2
Johns 3/5

MAN OF THE MATCH
Gorden Tallis (QLD)
Darren Lockyer (QLD)- 2
Clinton Schifcofske (QLD)- 1

What can i say but im very proud of the boys especially the new ones in Tookey and Elken who are stars of the future. Tallis and Lockyer were my favorites out there i needed the big guns to fire and they did just wat i wanted them to. We will be expecting a much tougher game 2 and we will prepare much harder and try rap the serious up.

Told ya it looked like the strongest side yet ;)

Yeah but it is going to be even harder to win game 1.