Stopping Queensland's big guns was very much the focus behind the selection of the NSW side for Wednesday's State of Origin opener in Sydney.

Eighty minutes later and with Queensland easing to a 28-24 victory - a scoreline that flattered Craig Bellamy's side - it was clear to see the tactic failed miserably.

Johnathan Thurston was the mastermind behind everything the Maroons created, Billy Slater scored a first half try and Darren Lockyer rolled back the years with a controlled display that included a brilliant four-pointer early in the second period.

But it was a try from Greg Inglis, the one Maroons superstar that had been relatively well contained by NSW, that ensured Mal Meninga's side took a giant step towards an unprecedented fifth straight series win.

Aside from one occasion in the 37th minute when he was held up over the try line by Parramatta duo Jarryd Hayne and Timana Tahu, Inglis was quiet.

But that all changed 18 minutes from time, when the 23-year-old centre burst to life, interchanged passes with Thurston and Darius Boyd and stormed over the line to score his ninth Origin try.

The timing couldn't have been better, with the Blues getting themselves back into the game thanks to an Anthony Watmough try in the 56th minute, cutting the deficit to 16-14 .

It proved to be the final nail in the Blues coffin, with rampaging prop Sam Thaiday adding a fifth try for his side minutes later after Kurt Gidley was pickpocketed by Thurston.

"It was definitely a great time to score for us and GI showed once again he is a man for the big occasion with a try right when we needed it," said Maroons forward David Shillington.

"We go into every game full of confidence, knowing we have guys in this team that are superstars, and they can score points from anywhere."

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