All the pre game hype was based upon one team. How will they break the drought? Who will stand up and provide the spark? Could NSW burst the pompous, arrogant Queensland bubble? Well, last Wednesday night they answered many questions with a quality display that was not a surprise at all.

Right from the outset, NSW provided an unmatched level of energy and intensity. They were up for the battle more than Queensland and if you do not match your opposition's energy in origin, you will loose. This was evident in the way that NSW gained yards through the middle rather easily while Queensland struggled to gain any early momentum.

James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce thrive off momentum. Give them go forward and they can put their long kicking game in to action giving them ball in attacking zones. Unlike NSW teams of the past, they have some of the games best players, in form. Michael Jennings is a threat every time he receives the ball and only adds to the posse of Roosters who form a vital combination. The likes of James Tamou, Andrew Fifita and Paul Gallen gave the Blues plenty of go forward while Man of the Match Luke Lewis was his dynamic best offering a wide range of skills to go along with his pace and size. The most impressive player for me though was Blake Ferguson. It was clear from the first towering bomb off Cooper Cronk's boot that they were going to put Ferguson under the pump. He passed with flying colours, defusing every bomb that came his way.

Unfortunately for NSW, Queensland wont play that badly again. Definitely not at Suncorp. The biggest thing for me is the change of personnel that will/should occur for game two. In game one the team looked stagnant. Too many players who are similar in their playing style. The best player for Queensland was Matt Gillett who came on and provided an immediate impact along with Corey Parker. Gillett was good because he provided a bit of difference. He is skillful, quick, agile and strong which gives him a point of difference compared to someone like Ashley Harrison who has done a great job in the past, but wasn't explosive enough to give NSW any troubles. You would have to think that Mal Meninga would be considering Josh Papalii for game two given his ability to provide some mongrel. Him and Ben Te'o coming off the bench for game two would be very dangerous.

Despite his impressive form this year with the Rabbitohs, Greg Inglis was taken care of pretty easily throughout the game. At about the 60 minute mark, whether it was premeditated or just an impulsive move, G.I. drifted in field to find some ball and the Queensland brains trust ran a few players that involved him. Despite this, NSW still managed to get plenty of numbers in their tackles on G.I. and stop him in his tracks. Expect Queensland to draft up more ways to get Inglis more ball in quality areas. I wouldn't be surprised if Queensland fire a few trick shots with two full backs or something alike.

Keep in mind that the Queensland play makers were also off their game. Jonathan Thurston barely kicked a ball while Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith all looked fatigued and off the pace. Given that Thurston's mind was else where with his wife expecting a baby and also under an injury cloud, I'll bet my penny's that he will be in fine form north of the border come game two. Throw in a healthy Ben Hannant who provides size and muscle up front and the stage is set.

Game two provides NSW with a great opportunity to win their first Origin series in a long time on Queensland soil. It also gives Queensland an opportunity to figure a few things out and reassess where they are at as a squad. Bring it on!