With the reality of the Blues winning the series highly possible at this stage, Queenslanders are still keeping their faith in the form of Johnathan Thurston and a possible call up for Billy Slater.
The NSW and Cronulla wrecking ball reinforced why he is fast building a reputation as one of the NRL's premier big-game players after turning in a barnstormer in the Blues' State of Origin I win.
"I'm not sure about John", Walters said.
"He's got to defend for himself".
"There's been a changing of the guard a little bit for this first game and none of us know how long we have got". "There's something about Origin that makes him tick".
From there, Queensland lost their debutant five-eighth Anthony Milford to a head knock, in what was a mixed debut for the rookie. I thought I did my job, I got the starting gig I always wanted. But this is the next step up.
NSW played energetic and focused, if unspectacular football from start to finish.
"Obviously Milford will bring plenty of energy and he's a danger with the ball", Daley said when asked whether he expected the Maroons to play differently lining up without Thurston for the first time in more than a decade.
It's what Walters is hoping for as well.
Speaking before the deadline had passed, Hayne said: "I'll have a couple more beers and see how we go, hey?" The forwards made good metres, there were very few errors and the players showed an intent that will send a strong message to the Queenslanders.
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Daley has warned his team about the pride of the wounded Maroons.
"They certainly weren't at their best and I think we caught Queensland on an off night", Daley said of his rivals. Queensland will have Thurston back.
After a short stint with the Devils, Stan made the move to Sydney to play with the North Sydney Bears where he played four games in the then New South Wales Rugby League in 1983 before a knee injury brought his career to an end.
Yet just when they started to garnish momentum, NSW struck again.
"I am not an automatic selection like some guys, so I guess I have to be ticking those boxes to get selected".
Daley said he had not met with officials ahead of tonight's game but admitted he was expecting the Maroons to try to slow down the game and dominate the ruck. "Honestly, I didn't see it", Daley said. "They certainly try and dominate the ruck, we didn't have much room to move a year ago".
The result spoiled Queensland captain Cameron Smith's record 40th Origin appearance and puts the Blues within touching distance of claiming just their second series win in 12 years and their first since 2014.
New South Wales pulled off saves and put up walls of defense that kept them off the Blues try line.
Even against a Queensland side without more than 100 Origin games' worth of experience. "But in Origin, it shouldn't be about surprises, you expect the opposition to front up and be ready to go and that's what we've got to do".
"It was a disappointing night".
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