Queensland has its back against the wall after a 22 – 12 loss to New South Wales in the State of Origin series opener in Melbourne.

Up against a rookie Blues squad, the Maroons lacked the finishing touch normally provided by the Big Four.

New captain Greg Inglis was the only highlight, putting in arguably his greatest Origin performance in front of more than 87,000 fans at the MCG.

Inglis bashed the Blues to the point of submission with hit after bone-rattling hit on the Blues debutantes.

But when the moment came to finish the job Queensland came up short.

Things certainly weren’t helped with a host of crucial line-ball decisions going against the Maroons, but coach Kevin Walters says that isn’t what cost them the game.

“We probably just didn’t play smart enough to get the victory and New South Wales, hats off, they were very good.”

Blues fullback James Tedesco was named a worthy Man of the Match by The Continuous Call Team, scoring a try, running 225 metres and making an enormous 17 tackle breaks.

The Maroons head into Game Two in Sydney on Sunday, June 24 needing a win to keep the series alive.

Click PLAY below to hear the highlights from the CCT’s call of Game I

Full credit to @NSWRL on their win last night. It was a stirring contest and great to see so many new players stand tall on both sides.

We’ll see the Blues in Sydney on Sunday, June 24 for the rematch.#Origin #QLDER #RugbyLeague

MATCH REPORT: https://t.co/GZHUkQjxtc pic.twitter.com/E6BCRy4aMr

— Queensland Maroons (@QLDmaroons) June 6, 2018