'Madness': NSW coach cops it over questionable tactics

New South Wales supporters have pointed the finger squarely at coach Brad Fittler over his tactics in the Blues' Origin game one loss to Queensland.

In particular, Fittler's use of his interchange in the 18-14 defeat to the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium, left many fans insisting the coach got it horribly wrong.

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Prop David Klemmer, along with Blues hooker Damien Cook, were arguably the Blues best forwards in the opening 40 minutes.

Klemmer's aggression and go-forward laid the platform for the visitors to take an 8-0 lead into the break, with Fittler deciding to leave him on for the first 51 minutes of the match.

"He was going well, you put a plan together. He didn't give any reason to bring him off," Fittler said.

"He did a really good job for us. I thought Paul Vaughan was outstanding for us too."

However, when Klemmer was eventually sent for a stint on the bench, it coincided with a remarkable comeback by the Maroons, whose forwards began dominating the contest.

Incredibly, Klemmer would not return at all in the final half an hour as Fittler opted for a more mobile and attack-minded pack.

The tactic backfired as the Blues lost the impetus that had served them so well in the first 40 minutes.

However, Fittler defended the decision not to bring Klemmer back on after being quizzed by Maroons great Paul Vautin after the match.

"He (Klemmer) got us right into the game without a doubt, he was brilliant," Fittler said on Channel Nine.

"The amount of impact he takes, the way he runs he absorbs a lot of contact.

"Getting into the back end of the game we needed some points. That’s why I left Cameron Murray out there and brought Jake (Trbojevic) on to try and get as much attack as possible.

"That happens in a game when you’re behind. You tend to want to throw the ball around.”

Blues fans were quick to voice their disagreement with the coach on social media after the match.

Coach explains playmaker’s benching

Fittler also defended his decision to hook playmaker Cody Walker with the game on the line.

Walker's place in the side for the return clash in Perth on June 23 appears tenuous after he was subbed out of the game and replaced by Jack Wighton during a crucial period.

Debutant Walker was replaced in the 57th minute with Dane Gagai scoring two tries while he was off the field before he was brought back on with eight minutes remaining.

Walker has been one of the form players of the NRL this year for South Sydney but ran for just 31 metres before having a hand in Jake Trbojevic's late try which set up a grandstand finish.

Fittler admitted Walker was having trouble finding his groove and applauded Wighton's efforts when he came on.

"I just felt like they had won a good chunk of the second half," Fittler said.

"Cody was just struggling to get into the game.

"I thought Jack did a brilliant job. It was a shame he threw an intercept. Prior to that his runs were great.

"We saw an opportunity to get Cody back on when we needed a few tries. He came back on and did a great job. He set up one try and looked dangerous the rest of the game so it went well."

Walker's debut was one of the fairytale stories of the camp after earning his first sky blue jumper at 29-years-old.

He only got his chance after Sydney Roosters playmaker Luke Keary was ruled out through concussion.

Keary has been given six weeks off by the Roosters after his fifth head knock in 18 months.

And it would be a big call for Fittler to replace him with the Maroons having a chance to win the series in Perth.

With AAP