NSW U-17s 52 Qld U-17s 26
NSW winger Jarryd Hayne was a year younger than most of his rivals and playing out of position in last night's State of Origin curtain-raiser - but it didn't stop him scoring four tries before half-time.
The Cabramatta junior, who attends soccer star Harry Kewell's former school, Westfield Sports High, had a field day playing outside clever Sydney Roosters centre Michael Lett as the Blues' under-17 team smashed Queensland 52-26 at Suncorp Stadium.
A fullback in Parramatta's undefeated Harold Matthews Cup side this year, 16-year-old Hayne was making one of his first appearances on the wing.
Lett, a Western Suburbs junior who is a half-brother to representative stars Kevin and Ken McGuinness, repeatedly held a defender at bay and unleashed a pass around the corner to put Hayne into the clear.
The Blues gave notice early they were switched on, with winger Ben Jeffrey scoring after only two minutes.
The Illawarra flanker booted goal after goal, often from the sideline.
Halfback Dean Caldwell then scored a simple try before Hayne assured his side of victory by beginning his stunning scoring rampage.
Seven of the 10 Blues tries were scored in the first half.
Queensland lifted their game after trailing 42-6 at half-time, outscoring their rivals 20-10 in the second half.
Replacement Greg Eastwood scored in the final minute to narrow the margin to 26.
In the earlier curtain-raiser, the brother-in-law of Brisbane prop Petero Civoniceva was among the tryscorers as the Queensland under-19 side overwhelmed Western Australia 42-20 in a Development Squad game.
Hooker Zac Chisholm scored the eighth and final Queensland try.
The Maroons led 20-4 at half-time against the plucky Sandgropers, who proved there is still plenty of talent in the west despite the demise of the Perth Reds.
SMH
