Queensland has created one of the biggest boilovers in State of Origin history by defeating New South Wales 18-14 in Adelaide.

Fielding eight rookies and the biggest outsiders for an Origin match in more than 20 years, Queensland looked gone at 10-0 down at half-time on Wednesday night at Adelaide Oval.

But that’s where the comeback kicked in for the underdogs in the series opener in front of 25,218 fans.

Epitomising their never-say-die Queenslander spirit, the Maroons scored three tries in the space of 14 minutes.

Kurt Capewell was superb on debut, with man-of-the-match Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster just as influential.

Munster is WAY too good. 🤤#Origin LIVE and exclusive on @Channel9. #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/zmBYVTsUR1

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) November 4, 2020

NSW put itself back in the match late when Josh Addo-Carr completed his double, but the Maroons held out a late attacking raid to go 1-0 up in the series.

The triumph is arguably one of Wayne Bennett’s finest coaching performances, given the Maroons on paper looked a shadow of their great teams of yesteryear.

It sets up a tantalising final fortnight of the series, with NSW now needing to win in Sydney next week to keep alive its hopes of a three-peat.

Cooking up a storm in the city of churches! 💥

A rough start from the boys in blue, but they draw first blood in Origin I. #Origin LIVE and exclusive on @Channel9. #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/W2rQl500rj

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) November 4, 2020

After Queensland dominated the opening stages for no result, NSW took control of the match when it led 10-0 after 21 minutes.

The Blues were dominating the Maroons up the middle, with James Tedesco also threatening while Damien Cook was at his best with space out of dummy-half.

Cook had the Blues’ first when he collected his ricocheted grubber kick, while Nathan Cleary and Tedesco created the space for Addo-Carr to have their second.

But while halves Nathan Cleary and Luke Keary were fluent playing both sides of the ruck in the first half, they lacked the same space in the second as Queensland won the tug-of-war.

The Foxx is over! 🦊 #Origin LIVE and exclusive on @Channel9. #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/zq8yEoRu9y

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) November 4, 2020

Meanwhile the Maroons’ Origin spirit and history of winning with unheralded rookies had been a theme all week, and it shone through.

Capewell was the unlikeliest of heroes, sparking the Maroons into action when he ran onto a Munster offload and fended off Clint Gutherson with ease in the 50th minute.

The centre managed a kick on the run, before a charging AJ Brimson ran onto the ball to make it 10-6.

And suddenly when Dane Gagai easily shrugged off Jack Wighton and put rookie Xavier Coates over four minutes later, Queensland had the lead.

🌟 CAPEWELL YOU SUPERSTAR! 🌟

A late call-up to the side, and he's just proven why he should be there. #Origin LIVE and exclusive on @Channel9. #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/OhS9pWFfBZ

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) November 4, 2020

Gagai was brilliant throughout as he often is in Origin, while Capewell pulled off a crucial play later with an intercept with the Blues on attack before finishing the match with a groin injury.

Munster then gave the Maroons an eight-point lead, kicking forward a poor offload from Daniel Tupou that went to ground and chasing through on it to score.

Jake Friend was also his typical steely self on debut, getting through 52 tackles in 80 minutes at hooker.

“It was a dream come true,” Capewell said.

“Typical Origin footy. Went down to the last minute. We defended our line really well there at times.

“Just stoked to come away with a win on debut.”

Adding further insult to injury for NSW is that Cameron Murray managed just five minutes before succumbing to a knee issue, while Boyd Cordner had to fight off another concussion scare.

The Blues are back in it! 😤🦊#Origin LIVE and exclusive on @Channel9. #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/p9bQ9tQhJg

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) November 4, 2020

Queensland had been dealt a late blow, with centre Brenko Lee ruled out an hour before kick off with a calf injury.

Lee limped from Adelaide Oval after a last-minute fitness test, cruelling his shot at an Origin debut.

He had been injured at training on Tuesday, but Maroons officials had been confident the Melbourne centre would be fit to play.

Phillip Sami started as originally named on the wing, with Capewell and Gagai to start in the centres.

NSW hosts game two in Sydney next Wednesday night, with game three in Brisbane on November 18.

-with AAP