Featuring 11 debutant players and a rookie coach in Brad Fittler, the Blues prevailed in a typical Origin arm wrestle, played in front of an 87,122-strong crowd.

The Maroons had won 11 of the previous 12 series, including the past three in a row, but were widely regarded as vulnerable after the representative retirements of champions Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.

Adding to the pressure on Queensland, veteran fullback Billy Slater forced a late reshuffle when he withdrew with a hamstring injury.

The Blues overcame some nervous moments to claim a 1-0 lead in the series and will be aiming to wrap up their first title since 2014 at ANZ Stadium on June 24.

NSW five-eighth James Maloney threw the final pass for the first-half tries by both teams.

In the 22^nd minute, he supported a break by Blues hooker Damien Cook and linked with fullback James Tedesco, who raced 25 metres, beating an attempted tackle from Will Chambers, to score near the posts.

Queensland hit back in the 28^th minute when Maloney threw a looping pass and Maroons winger Valentine Holmes intercepted.

Holmes dashed 90 metres to score untouched between the posts, then converted his own try, to make it 8-6 to the Blues at half-time.

The Maroons grabbed the lead early in the second half when former Knight Dane Gagai scored his eighth try in as many Origin games after a Ben Hunt grubber.

NSW finished strongly with tries by first-gamers Latrell Mitchell (47^th minute), Tom Trbojevic (50^th minute) and Josh Addo-Carr (68^th minute).