Queensland produced a stirring second-half comeback to beat New South Wales 18-14 in the opening game of the 2020 State of Origin at Adelaide Oval.
AJ Brimson, Xavier Coates and Cameron Munster crossed for tries during a 16-minute purple patch to give Queensland a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
It was a triumphant return to Origin for veteran coach Wayne Bennett. The 70-year-old, who was relieved of his duties as England and Great Britain coach earlier this year, stepped back into the Maroons role after a 17-year absence following the decision of Kevin Walters to stand down and selected a team containing no fewer than eight debutants.
It looked an unlikely fairytale return when the Blues opened up a 10-0 lead after 21 minutes thanks to tries from hooker Damien Cook and winger Josh Addo-Carr but Bennett's men hung on until half-time and turned the game around in spectacular fashion in the second half.
They stung their opponents with two tries in five minutes from full-back Brimson, one of the new faces, and winger Coates, both of which were converted by skipper Daly Cherry-Evans to put his side into a 12-10 lead.
They added another try on 65 minutes through stand-off Munster and Cherry-Evans' third goal extended the lead to 18-10.
Addo-Carr then went over for his second try five minutes from the end and Queensland were forced to hang on in a tense finish with 12 men after second rower Felise Kaufisi was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.
Game two takes place in Sydney on 11 November.
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