Origin Game 1 – Queensland Dominates NSW 38-10

Queensland delivered a commanding 38-10 victory over New South Wales at Accor Stadium on June 5, 2024, handing the Blues their heaviest home defeat in State of Origin history. The win gave the Maroons a 1-0 lead in the three-game series and marked their first Game 1 triumph in Sydney since 1988.

Who Won State of Origin Game 1 and What Was the Score?

Final Score Breakdown

The Maroons held a 20-6 advantage at halftime and extended their lead after the break, ultimately finishing 28 points clear. Valentine Holmes converted all seven attempts at goal, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow crossed the line three times to record a hat-trick on his Origin debut as a starting fullback.

Man of the Match

Daly Cherry-Evans received the Player of the Match award for his performance at halfback. The Queensland captain finished with two try assists, executed a pivotal 40/20 kick that shifted momentum in the second half, and accumulated 442 metres from kicks—consistently pinning the Blues deep inside their own half.

Key Insights

• Queensland’s 38-point tally represented their biggest-ever win in Sydney over New South Wales.
• Joseph Sua’ali’i was sent off in the 8th minute for a shoulder-to-head contact on Reece Walsh—the fastest red card in Origin history.
• Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow became the first Queenslander since 2017 to score a hat-trick in an Origin match.
• Winners of Game 1 in Sydney have gone on to claim the series in seven of the past eight occasions.
• Zac Lomax scored a try on debut for the Blues, briefly reducing the margin to 20-10 in the 43rd minute.
• Both teams finished with 42 possessions, though NSW recorded a superior 85% completion rate compared to Queensland’s 69%.
• The result extended Queensland’s dominance in recent series encounters against their rivals.

Origin Game 1 Teams, Lineups and Key Players

Queensland Maroons Lineup

Coach Billy Slater’s side featured several players who delivered standout performances throughout the match. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow started at fullback in the absence of the regular custodian and made an immediate impact with three tries and over 150 metres gained. Ben Hunt contributed two tries from the interchange bench, providing valuable momentum shifts at critical stages.

Valentine Holmes was flawless with the boot, landing all seven conversion attempts from various positions. Felise Kaufusi entered the contest as the replacement for Reece Walsh following the incident in the eighth minute and logged 23 minutes of playing time. Xavier Coates also featured with a try and notable defensive work near his own try line.

New South Wales Blues Lineup

Michael Maguire took charge of his first Origin match as Blues coach. James Tedesco was a late inclusion after Dylan Edwards was ruled out through injury and scored his side’s opening try. Debutant Zac Lomax crossed for the Blues’ second four-pointer on his first appearance in the interstate jersey.

Joseph Sua’ali’i also made his Origin debut but was shown a red card within the opening eight minutes, reducing NSW to twelve men for the remainder of the contest. The send-off proved decisive, with the Maroons able to exploit the numerical advantage throughout the match.

Key Moments and Timeline from Origin Game 1

First Half Highlights

The match exploded into action inside the opening minutes. Ben Hunt crossed for Queensland in the fourth minute after the Maroons spread the ball wide early, with Valentine Holmes converting to make it 6-0. Just two minutes later, Reece Walsh was struck by a high challenge from Sua’ali’i and remained motionless on the ground. The debutant was sent off by referee Ashley Klein—the earliest dismissal in Origin history.

Queensland extended their lead to 12-0 through a Holmes penalty goal before James Tedesco hit back for NSW in the 13th minute, with Hynes adding the extras. The deficit was short-lived, however, as Tabuai-Fidow crossed in the 18th and 23rd minutes to complete a double and push the Maroons 20-6 ahead at the break.

Second Half Turnaround

NSW began the second half with renewed intent. Zac Lomax powered over in the 43rd minute on debut, bringing the score to 20-10 and giving the Blues genuine hope of a comeback. The margin held for the next twenty minutes until Cherry-Evans produced a crucial 40/20 kick that shifted field position decisively in Queensland’s favour.

The momentum swing proved immediate. Hunt crossed for his second try in the 67th minute, and Coates followed three minutes later to stretch the lead to 32-10. Tabuai-Fidow completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute, equalling the record for most tries in a single Origin match and closing the scoring at 38-10.

Where and When Was Origin Game 1 Played?

Venue Details

Accor Stadium, located at Sydney Olympic Park, hosted the opening match of the 2024 series. The venue holds over 83,000 spectators and serves as one of Australia’s premier sporting arenas. You can find more events at this venue through the Olympic Park Events – 2024-2025 Calendar Tickets Guide.

Kickoff Time and Attendance

The match kicked off at 20:05 AEST on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. A total of 77,214 spectators attended the fixture. Ashley Klein officiated the match as referee.

How to Watch Origin Game 1 Highlights and Replays

Official Streams

Full match highlights and replay footage are available through official NRL channels and affiliated broadcasters. The official NRL website provides match centre coverage including player statistics and extended highlights packages. Additional coverage can be found through major sports networks including ABC Sport and ESPN.

Key Video Clips

Several highlight packages from the match have been published online, capturing the opening minutes of physicality, the controversial send-off, Tabuai-Fidow’s first-half brace, Cherry-Evans’ momentum-shifting 40/20, and the late tries that sealed Queensland’s emphatic victory.

Match Timeline

1. 4th minute – Ben Hunt opens the scoring for Queensland. Holmes converts. QLD 6–0 NSW
2. 8th minute – Joseph Sua’ali’i sent off for shoulder-to-head contact on Reece Walsh. Fastest red card in Origin history.
3. 9th minute – Valentine Holmes kicks a penalty goal. QLD 8–0 NSW
4. 13th minute – James Tedesco scores for NSW. QLD 8–6 NSW
5. 15th minute – Hynes converts Tedesco’s try. QLD 8–8 NSW
6. 18th minute – Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scores his first try. Holmes converts. QLD 14–8 NSW
7. 23rd minute – Tabuai-Fidow crosses again. Holmes converts. QLD 20–6 NSW
8. Halftime – Blues 6–20 Maroons
9. 43rd minute – Zac Lomax scores on debut for NSW. QLD 20–10 NSW
10. 66th minute – Ben Hunt scores his second try. Holmes converts. QLD 26–10 NSW
11. 70th minute – Xavier Coates crosses for Queensland. Holmes converts. QLD 32–10 NSW
12. 78th minute – Tabuai-Fidow completes his hat-trick. Holmes converts. QLD 38–10 NSW
13. Fulltime – Queensland 38–10 New South Wales

Confirmed Facts and Outstanding Questions

Historical Context of State of Origin Game 1

The 2024 result added an important chapter to one of rugby league’s most storied rivalries. Queensland’s triumph was their first Game 1 victory on Sydney soil in 36 years, with the previous such success occurring in 1988. The statistical significance is reinforced by series data showing that teams winning the opening match in Sydney have gone on to clinch the series in seven of the past eight occasions.

For the Maroons, the win also signalled a strong start under coach Billy Slater, who guided his team to a dominant performance despite the early interruption caused by the Walsh incident. The numerical advantage created by the send-off played a role, though Queensland’s points tally and the quality of their attacking play suggested a side capable of competing regardless of circumstances.

For related sports coverage, see the Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Match Scorecard – IPL 2024 Results and Stats for further sporting results from around the same period.

Sources and Quotes

“Queensland overwhelmed a 12-man NSW after the early send-off, leading 20-6 at halftime and pulling away despite NSW’s fightback try.”

— Wikipedia – 2024 State of Origin Series

“Tabuai-Fidow’s hat-trick and Cherry-Evans’ leadership secured the win, Queensland’s first Game 1 Sydney victory since 1988.”

— NRL.com – Match Report

Summary

Queensland claimed a dominant 38-10 win over New South Wales in the opening match of the 2024 State of Origin series at Accor Stadium. The result was sealed by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s hat-trick and Daly Cherry-Evans’ Player of the Match performance, compounded by Joseph Sua’ali’i’s eighth-minute dismissal. The Maroons now hold a 1-0 lead in the three-game series with the next fixture scheduled for later in June.

Frequently Asked Questions