Laurie Daley will take a men's State of Origin series lead away from enemy territory after the Blues ran in four tries to one at Suncorp Stadium in the returning coach's first game in charge since 2017.

New South Wales head to Perth in three weeks' time a win away from consecutive Shields after winning game one 18-6 on Wednesday night.

Daley, who took over the Blues' coaching job from Michael Maguire in December, claimed his third win in Brisbane after previously leading the side across five series from 2014-2017.

His first success at Suncorp, game one in 2014, helped the Blues snap Queensland's eight-year run of dominance.

Daley said it's "always tough to win up here" speaking post match, adding his side made it difficult for themselves in elements.

Despite hosting rights, the Maroons came into game one as underdogs, but created their share of chances while both sides went toe-to-toe across opening exchanges.

The aerial route looked most dangerous at both ends of the ground without either side being able to break the deadlock.

Tempers flared between the rivals in the opening minutes.

Nathan Cleary put the Blues on the board with a penalty shot in the tenth minute - his only success kicking for goal across the 80 minutes.

The NSW no. 7 missed all three of his conversion attempts before Zac Lomax failed two add the extra points later in the piece when he took over the responsibility.

It kept Queensland in the game, who trailed by the equivalent of two converted tries nearing the final whistle.

Lomax crossed over for the game's first try in the 24th minute, after Stephen Crichton weaved an overlap on the right side.

NSW's Indigenous stars Latrell Mitchell and Connor Watson played a hand in the scoring.

Quick hands from Mitchell sent Brian To'o over in the left corner with 12 minutes before half time, while a special piece of work from Watson pushed the Blues' advantage out to the final margin late in the piece.

In a desperate attempt on the last tackle, and wrapped up by four, Watson forced a pass while propped over the line to send Dylan Edwards over.

WHAT A TRY ðŸ'#Origin pic.twitter.com/QpOUWfmjxI

— NRL (@NRL) May 28, 2025

Mitchell had his moments, and appeared to be playing with some fire in the belly, but handed the home side their only try when Jeremiah Nanai dislodged the ball from his grasp with a big hit inside the Blues' defensive 10.

Xavier Coates received the ball in a paddock on the right side to cut the then-margin of 14-2 down to six points in the 45th minute, once Valentine Holmes converted.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow couldn't add to his impressive try-scoring start to Origin - he ran for 108 running metres (24 post-contact) from 11 carries on the opposite wing.

Fellow Torres Strait Island man Reuban Cotter had modest impact with the ball, running 51 metres in the middle (20 post-contact) from seven carries.

Cotter led the Maroons for tackles with 45, none missed.

It's NSW's first time going back-to-back in Brisbane since 1997-1998, the second of those with Daley captaining the state at five-eighth.

The Blues won 14-4 in Brisbane to win the series in last year's decider.

A collected Daley said his group took a "no excuses" approach into Wednesday's opener.

"I think we can get a lot better," he told Nine's coverage post-game.

"We spoke about being physical, and they went at it, and they continued to do it…(but) that's probably a learning (opportunity) for me as well…to make sure that as well as being physical, we're going to have some energy when we get the ball.

"I know this team will be a lot better in game two and three, but we've just got to work hard…but know that Queensland will come back.

"We knew they'd come back in the second half, which they did…I didn't think we were anywhere near where we could be."

NSW were down a man for the opening patch of the second half after Brian To'o was sin binned on the half time bell.

Returning from the break they made a handful of errors and looked to play a little more conservatively.

Queensland coach Billy Slater was adamant selections weren't to blame for the outcome.

"I know what this team's capable of…they haven't played their best footy…it's definitely not a personnel thing," Queensland coach Billy Slater said in his post-match press conference.

Slater added ill-discipline to his side's woes on a disappointing night.

The Maroons will have to lodge wins in Perth and on the Blues' turf in game three to reclaim the Shield.