NSW supporters can take heart from the performance of their generation-next, as the Blues pipped Queensland 18-16 in a thrilling under-16s Origin league curtain-raiser at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Maroons launched several raids at the NSW line in the dying stages but the Blues held on grimly, despite being reduced to 12 players after Addison Demetriou was sent off early in the second half.
Queensland raced to a 10-0 lead after 11 minutes through tries to winger Ryan Mitchell and second rower Luke Bateman, who backed up a break by fullback Paul Byrnes.
The Maroons defence looked impenetrable until late in the first half when NSW scored off a heavy weight of possession, with winger John Fomai steaming onto a cut-out pass to cross in the right corner.
When Blues hooker Brad Deitz burrowed over the tryline early in the second half, the scores were locked at 10-all.
NSW halfback Brendan Cox booted a penalty goal midway through the second half to give the visitors a 12-10 edge.
But Queensland's numerical advantage was wasted in the next set, as Blues fullback Dylan Russell scored a superb long-range try.
With the home side trailing 18-10, the Queenslanders lifted and came back into the match following a try to interchange forward Jack Anderson with six minutes left, but they couldn't crack the Blues 12-man defensive line again to snatch victory.
Young Newcastle forward Luke Yates was named Players Player while Euan Aitken was man of the match.
NSW Under 16’s - 18 (J Fomai, B Deitz, D Russell tries; B Cox 2, DJ Harris goals) def. QLD Under 16’s - 16 (R Mitchell, L Bateman, J Anderson tries; D Paiaaua 2 goals).
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