The dodgy Maroons play that went largely unnoticed

Social media has lit up over a cheeky tactic from Maroons star Ben Hunt that typified a 'win at all costs' Origin mentality.

The Queensland hooker was immense for Queensland in the Maroons' 18-14 victory over New South Wales in Wednesday night's State of Origin opener in Brisbane.

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However, the St George Illawarra schemer was at his crafty best midway through the second half with the scores locked at 8-8.

Hunt was part of a gang of tacklers on Boyd Cordner, when he grabbed at the Blues skipper's leg in an effort to get him to ground.

Footage showed Hunt pulling at Cordner's boot, before ripping it off the NSW forward's foot and cheekily throwing it away as he ran back into the defensive line.

The comical moment seemed to go unnoticed by officials but eagle-eyed supporters were quick to highlight Hunt's act of sabotage on social media.

Gagai inspires comeback win

A try-scoring double by man of the match Dane Gagai helped the Maroons overcome an 8-0 halftime deficit and a string of missed chances to draw first blood in front of 52,191 fans.

It was a dream start for Queensland's new Origin era as they look to reclaim the title.

And it was a pretty good look for polarising mind coach Bradley Charles Stubbs.

Ahead of his fourth campaign, Maroons coach Kevin Walters was looking for inspiration as his side began an Origin series without the last of their future Immortals, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis.

It marked the first time since game two, 2003 that Queensland had played an Origin without one of their greats Inglis, Slater, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston or Cooper Cronk.

Despite being kept scoreless in the first half, Queensland had three tries disallowed by the video referee with Will Chambers also botching a near certain four-pointer in the 31st minute.

But the game was turned on its head in the 58th minute when Matt Gillett was denied a penalty try and NSW centre Latrell Mitchell was sin binned for tackling the back-rower without the ball.

Queensland kicked the resulting penalty to level the scores at 8-8.

Enter Gagai.

The winger first scored a 95m intercept try off an errant Jack Wighton pass in the 67th minute with 60 seconds left on the sin bin clock for Mitchell.

"That try he scored, very few would have been able to score that one," Walters said.

Then Gagai ran off impressive fullback Kalyn Ponga to score the matchwinner in the 71st.

Gagai ran a remarkable 256m, while taking his Origin try tally to 11 in as many games.

The winner of game one has gone on to win 27 of the past 37 series including eight of the past 10.

Maroons coach demands more

Walters insists his side must be better in this month's Origin II in Perth if they were to pull off a series victory.

The Maroons coach raised eyebrows when he adopted mind coach Bradley Charles Stubbs ahead of Origin I, ditching Queensland's traditional underdog tag and claiming the Maroons "will win" the series opener.

Bemused Sydney critics had a field day as Walters spruiked Stubbs' philosophy in the lead-up and refusing to mention NSW by name and threatening fines to any Queensland players who did.

Walters appeared to have the last laugh when the Maroons reeled in an 8-0 halftime lead to draw first blood in the series thanks to a stunning two-try haul by man of the match, winger Dane Gagai.

But Walters still raised chuckles at his expense when he was reminded of the Sydney media's barbs at the post match press conference that he had been putting on a Stubbs-inspired bizarre act.

"I am very passionate about rugby league in this state. If that makes me a loony then there a lot of loonys up in Queensland I can tell you," Walters said.

He got another laugh when asked if he had received a congratulatory message from Stubbs who is reportedly indisposed on a tropical island.

"He is on island somewhere and he can only whisper so I haven't heard from him," Walters said.

"But his involvement in all of this has been great. However, we haven't achieved anything yet - there are two games of football left."

Indeed, Walters wasn't getting ahead of himself, admitting the Maroons must improve if they are to begin a new era with an upset series win.

Defending champions NSW were raging favourites for 2019 with the Maroons opening a new chapter following the retirement of the last of their future Immortals Billy Slater and Greg Inglis.

Walters said they still had much work to do to seal a series win in June 23's game two in Perth.

"We are very respectful of the win but there's no relief (with the win)," he said.

"We came here to put together a good performance but I felt we didn't do that for 80 minutes.

"We are out of the blocks and I am stoked for the win but the team knows we need to get better."

With AAP