Rookie winger Greg Inglis will be a man on a mission when Queensland attempts to save the State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium next month.

Inglis, 19, launched his Origin career with two tries, one where he picked up a bootlace ball from Darren Lockyer, but like the six other rookies was left feeling empty after late inclusion Brett Finch kicked a magnificent 39-metre field goal in the final minute to snatch a 17-16 thriller at Telstra Stadium.

Melbourne's Mr Cool, who impressed everyone during the week with his handling, admitted to some nerves after dropping a ball cold early in the second half.

But he redeemed himself with two tries which pulled Queensland back into the contest before Finch's clincher.

"I was kicking back and relaxing with the coach and the other boys in camp and had a real good feeling but when I put that jersey on and walked out it hit me," said Inglis, the second youngest player behind Ben Ikin to play for Queensland.

"I made a few early mistakes and at half time I told myself 'lift your game" and I hope I showed that.

"It's a pity they kicked the field goal because I reckon we had them on the ropes.

"We know what to expect now and it will give us plenty of confidence to go up to Brisbane and come away with the goods.

"It really kicks you in the guts when you lose by one because you put in so much effort."

Halfback Johnathan Thurston, who cooked two magnificent sideline goals - the second to level the game at 16-all with four minutes to go - was full of praise for the young rookies.

"The game was within our reach and it slipped away from us," he said.

"That field goal really hurt.

"Our first half was very ordinary. We shot ourselves in the foot which you can't afford to do in these games.

"But the boys can hold their heads high because we fought back well in the second half.

"Those young guys will learn a lot out of that and so will the team.

"We can go back to the drawing board and try and get it right for game two in Brisbane.

"Those young guys stood tall when it was difficult and a lot of positives came out of it."

Cowboys rookie Matt Scott desperately wants another crack at Origin and is likely to get another shot next month with chairman of selectors Des Morris giving all the debutants a pass mark after the heartbreaking loss.

"We're all going to be better for it," said Scott.

"We got accustomed to the pace of the game and it was just a wonderful experience and I loved it.

"I'm sure we all want another crack because it was a pretty disappointing outcome."

Forward leader Petero Civoniceva, who still had blood seeping from his nose after the game, hopes selectors will stick with the same players for the return game.

"The early errors really cruelled us and we paid the price," he said.

"We were under the pump in the second half but full credit to the boys they fought back.

"It was a fantastic effort from all the debutants."

Lockyer was nursing sore ribs and stitches above his eye and was unsure about his chances of playing against the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

"We can take a lot out of that game," said Lockyer.

"The team that came off the park, everyone knows they can win in Brisbane.

"The thing about the Queensland spirit is you never give in and we showed that again tonight."

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