A stellar performance from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow helped the Maroons seize victory in the opening game of the 2024 Origin series, overpowering a 12-man Blues squad 38-10 in Sydney. The match took a dramatic turn just eight minutes in when New South Wales debutant Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i was red-carded, becoming the fastest player in Origin history to receive such a sanction, following a head-high hit on Reece Walsh. Unfortunately, Walsh was forced off due to a category one head injury assessment.
Sua’ali’i was later charged with a Grade 2 Reckless High Tackle offense, potentially sidelining him for 4-5 weeks. With the Blues already trailing 6-0, Sua’ali’i’s dismissal compounded their troubles, as Queensland capitalized on the gap in the right center position he vacated.
By the final whistle, Tabuai-Fidow had equaled the record for most tries in a single Origin game, notching up a hat-trick, with one of his tries coming in the dying moments of the match. Alongside Ben Hunt’s opening try and a penalty goal from Valentine Holmes, the Maroons held a commanding 20-6 lead at halftime.
Despite a spirited effort from the Blues, including tries from James Tedesco and debutant Zac Lomax, Queensland’s dominance prevailed. The match saw an intense battle for momentum, with pivotal moments such as Xavier Coates’ acrobatic save and Daly Cherry-Evans’ well-placed kick influencing the outcome.
Despite two denied try attempts by the Bunker, Hunt ultimately sealed the victory for Queensland with his second try in the 67th minute, following a break by Selwyn Cobbo.
Before Tabuai-Fidow secured his third try, Storm’s Xavier Coates made his mark with a try of his own. Holmes then capped off the scoring with his sixth successful conversion, bringing the final tally to 38-10 in favor of the Maroons.
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