10:00pm

Thanks for following along, and Zero Tackle will see you back for Game Two of the State of Origin series in Melbourne on 26th June.

Here is some other news from around the NRL.

• Zac Lomax linked with bombshell immediate switch
• Suitor emerges for Wests Tigers outside back
• Ex-Tigers winger set to return to Australia

FULL TIME

QLD MAROONS 38 (Tries: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 3, Ben Hunt 2, Xavier Coates Goals: Valentine Holmes 8)DEF NSW BLUES 10 (Tries: Zac Lomax, James Tedesco Goals: Nicho Hynes 1)

The QLD Maroons have emerged victorious in the 2024 State of Origin series opening match by 28 points after taking control of the game's back end against the 12-man NSW Blues.

However, the Blues had times in the match when they nearly tied the scores after Joseph Suaalii was sent from the field but fell short.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Daly Cherry-Evans (QLD Maroons)

79' QLD 38-10

TRY - Hamiso Tabuai Fidow puts the nail in the coffin. 'The Hammer' finishes with a hattrick after some great ball work and dummy by Tom Dearden to get past the Blues' right-hand side

71' QLD 32-10

TRY - Daly Cherry-Evans takes an intercept from an Isaah Yeo pass. With Brian To'o and Angus Crichton chasing the 35-year-old, he produces a magnetic kick ahead, which just lands in the field of play, and Xavier Coates joins the scoresheet. Valentine Holmes converts successfully.

68' QLD 26-10

TRY - Ben Hunt scores a double following a great run by Selwyn Cobbo. Cobbo ran through the entire Blues defence by being taken aback by a try-saving tackle by Brian To'o. Unfortunately, the next play sees Hunt run through a Liam Martin-James Tedesco tackle. Valentine Holmes converts successfully.

66' QLD 20-10

LENIU/MARTIN SPECIAL - Spencer Leniu has shown that he is made for the Origin arena. The back-rower made a blistering 20-metre run through at least five QLD defenders. Ex-teammate Liam Martin followed this the following set with a MASSIVE hit on Linday Collins - a tackle that will be seen on social media for days to come.

65' QLD 20-10

VIDEO REF - Queensland are disallowed their second consecutive try. A drop-punt finds the flying Xavier Coates in the corner, but he knocks the ball on in the field of play, attempting to throw it to Valentine Holmes

59' QLD 20-10

VIDEO REF - Reece Robson produces an amazing effort and quality tackle on the barnstorming Jeremiah Nanai over the try line, which sees the Maroon's second rower lose possession of the football. Spencer Leniu passes his HIA.

48' QLD 20-10

NSW BLUES - After a deep kick by Hynes, Liam Martin makes one of the game's best tackles, followed by an aggressive tackle by Payne Haas, which earns them the ball right back. Unfortunately, unable to make it a scoring opportunity. Spencer Leniu leaves the field for a HIA.

45' QLD 20-10

TRY - NSW Blues bounce back in style! Receiving the ball back after a one-on-one strip from Angus Crichton, the set accumulated in Zac Lomax scoring in his Origin debut. Nicho Hynes' kick found the aerial-leaping Lomax in the corner who puts the ball down for a try. Hynes misses the conversion.

HALF TIME - QLD 20-6

QLD Maroons dominated the opening half after Joseph Suaalii was sent from the field within the opening ten minutes. A double from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and try from Ben Hunt sees them enter half-time with a 20-6 lead.

30' QLD 20-6

VIDEO REF - Despite being a player down, the Blues remain an attacking presence. After earning the third consecutive set, Spencer Leniu's explosivity takes on the opponents. Although he crossed the line, he couldn't get the ball down.

25' QLD 20-6

TRY - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scores a double. The Maroons use the overlap to run around the Blues, this time through Selwyn Cobbo, who offloads to Murray Taulagi, who finds 'The Hammer'. Valentine Holmes converts successfully.

19' QLD 14-6

TRY - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scores in the Origin arena again. Queensland uses the overlap to perfection - following the send-off of Suaalii. From Tom Dearden to Jaydn Su'A to Murray Taulagi to Hamiso-Tabuai-Fidow, they are able to get past the Blues with ease. Valentine Holmes converts successfully.

14' 8-6 QLD

TRY - James Tedesco crosses the line for the Blues opening try. The fullback pounces on a great grubber kick from Jarome Luai. Nicho Hynes converts.

11' 8-0 QLD

REECE WALSH HAS BEEN RULED OF THE MATCH

10' 8-0 QLD

PENALTY GOAL - Valentine Holmes converts a penalty goal making the score 8-0. Selwyn Cobbo enters the field, and QLD's 18th man, Felise Kaufusi, is activated.

8' 8-0 QLD

SENT OFF - Joseph Suaalii has been SENT OFF! Hits Reece Walsh high with the fullback exiting the field of play.

7' 8-0 QLD

LINE BREAK - Right after scoring QLD take it to the Blues defence. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow makes a line-break down the left-hand side but is stopped by James Tedesco - REECE WALSH DOWN IN BACK PLAY

5' 6-0 QLD

TRY - Some Daly Cherry-Evans magic has given QLD the opening try. Running down the shortside on last tackle provides a lovely handoff to Ben Hunt.

3' 0-0

PENALTY - NSW Blues awarded the first penalty of the match following a dangerous tackle from Hamsio Tabuai-Fidow on James Tedesco. Tedesco looking strong in his opening caries of the game.

8:08pm

KICK OFF - The NSW Blues are running left to right. Lindsay Collins takes the first run of the game and is met by a barrage of Blues defenders.

8:00pm

The two teams have entered the field after a great marching band performance, the 'Welcome to Country' and an amazing pyrotechnics show to light up the audience. We are now minutes away from the opening kick-off!

7:10pm

The 2024 State of Origin series opening-game is now less than 60 minutes from kick-off! As you get ready to watch the game live at Accor Stadium or from the couch, take a look at these feature stories from earlier in the week.

• The Under-13s teammates aiming to bring success to the NSW Blues
• Spencer Leniu wants to remain a Rooster 'for life' ahead of Origin debut
• Reece Robson: Following in the footsteps of his idol Danny Buderus

7:05pm

The official team lists have been confirmed, with the NSW Blues and QLD Maroons making no late changes.

6pm
Hello, Good Evening and Welcome to Zero Tackle's live coverage of the 2024 State of Origin series. Game 1 at Homebush kicks off at 8:05pm (AEST), with the Blues looking to overcome two straight series losses to Queensland.

Final teams will be confirmed an hour before kick-off and will be available in the match centre, and on site. If you're looking for a bit of pre-game reading, be sure to check out our match preview, a terrific story on Reece Robson, our crystal ball predictions, or if you're not sure of anything for tonight, our ultimate guide or live stream guide.

We will be back with an update once team lists are confirmed.