State of Origin: Queensland Maroons overpower New South Wales in 2019 opener

Dane Gagai celebrates his spectacular score for Queensland

Dane Gagai's two tries helped Queensland to victory against New South Wales in game one of the 2019 State of Origin series in Brisbane.

The Maroons, who had three tries chalked off, had to come from behind after Josh Morris' try and two Nathan Cleary goals put the Blues 8-0 ahead.

However, Queensland kept their cool to cross through Corey Oates.

Gagai's double seemed to put it beyond doubt but Jake Trbojevic's late score for the Blues ensured a tense finale.

Despite trailing at the halfway stage, Queensland were a dominant force throughout and with their forwards setting the platform, playmakers Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans and full-back Kalyn Ponga took control.

Ponga's fizzed cut-out balls provided spectacular tries for Oates and Gagai, while Munster was a constant menace.

Blues are bidding to go back-to-back in Origin for the first time since 2005 but after a bright start in which Morris crossed on the back of good work from James Tedesco, they were overpowered.

Trbojevic's try came as Queensland tired but it was too late to stem the Maroons' surge to victory.

Game two will take place in Perth on Sunday, 23 June, while the third match is at ANZ in Sydney on Wednesday, 11 July.

No backlash after anthem silence

Indigenous players on both sides of the Origin divide opted not to sing the national anthem

Before the match there was much talk about the intention of Blues indigenous players Cody Walker, Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell, plus Queensland's Will Chambers, not to sing the national anthem.

It led to some comparisons with NFL star Colin Kaepernick, who took a knee during the US anthem, but there was no backlash regarding the decision not to sing.

Fellow indigenous former player Johnathan Thurston also spoke on the public address with a 'welcome to country' speech - an address that reflects the importance of indigenous culture.

The National Rugby League has tried to integrate indigenous cultures with an Indigenous All-Stars game in pre-season, and an annual Indigenous Round.

Queensland: Ponga; Oates, Morgan, Chambers, Gagai; Munster, Cherry-Evans; Arrow, Hunt, Papalii, Kaufusi, Gillett, McGuire.

Interchanges: Mybe, Ofahengaue, Napa, Fifita.

New South Wales: Tedesco; Cotric, Mitchell, Morris, Addo-Carr; Walker, Cleary; Klemmer, Cook, Vaughan, Cordner, Frizell, J. Trbojevic.

Interchanges: Wighton, Haas, Murray, Crichton.

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