Debutant James Maloney and NRL team mates Mitchell Pearce and Michael Jennings have played starring roles in NSW's victory in Game I of the 2013 State of Origin series.
Maloney has been praised following his first performance on rugby league's biggest stage, with the 25-year old showing no signs of the nerves that many associate with appearing in your first Origin match.
Blues legend and Roosters assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon said it was "the debut that everyone expected from Jimmy."
While Man of the Match Luke Lewis couldn't speak higher of the Roosters No.6 following the clash.
"He was a calming influence all week," said Lewis.
"He's a real character to have around. He's a bag of laughs, he's loud and really cool, calm and collected as well."
"When we were behind the tryline tonight he was keeping us pretty cool and got us back to what we needed to do. So that was really impressive."
His former team mate at the Storm, and Queensland captain, Cam Smith was also quick to acknowledge his starring role.
"I've always regarded him as a very smart footballer," said Smith.
"He's just a natural - he knows when to pass the ball, he knows when to take the line on.
"He's only a little fella but he's not afraid to take the line on and that's what Origin is all about. And he kicked strong."
With all the talk in the lead up to the clash surrounding the combination of Maloney and Bondi team mate Pearce, the duo paid back rookie coach Laurie Daley for his faith with a stellar performance in controlling the game through both boot and hand.
Lewis also couldn't help but acknowledge the Blues playmaker and Maloney's team mate, Pearce.
"A big thanks to Mitchell Pearce - he got me mentally right," said Lewis.
"He has just been outstanding all week - him and James Maloney getting our game plan right, making sure everyone knew what they were doing.
"Pearcey was just into me all day, every day at training making sure I was doing this and doing that. And it definitely helped tonight."
The final point of the Roosters triangle involved in the clash, Michael Jennings, is the man that everyone is talking about today however with the 2013 Roosters recruit sending ANZ Stadium into a frenzy just three minutes out from half time.
Sweeping in behind the play, in the middle of the field, the man they call 'Jenko' scooped up the loose ball 20m out from the line and danced and drove his way past seven Queensland defenders to reach out and send the Blues into the break with 14-0 lead.
Fitzgibbon also said this morning, "all three were fantastic last night and played really strong. We're all really proud of the way each of them went out there."
All three players have checked in at Roosters HQ this morning, injury free, and will take their place in Trent Robinson's side tomorrow night against the Eels.
Roosters TV will be catching up with our Origin heroes later today, so make sure you stay tuned for their thoughts following the Series opener.
Maloney has been praised following his first performance on rugby league's biggest stage, with the 25-year old showing no signs of the nerves that many associate with appearing in your first Origin match.
Blues legend and Roosters assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon said it was "the debut that everyone expected from Jimmy."
While Man of the Match Luke Lewis couldn't speak higher of the Roosters No.6 following the clash.
"He was a calming influence all week," said Lewis.
"He's a real character to have around. He's a bag of laughs, he's loud and really cool, calm and collected as well."
"When we were behind the tryline tonight he was keeping us pretty cool and got us back to what we needed to do. So that was really impressive."
His former team mate at the Storm, and Queensland captain, Cam Smith was also quick to acknowledge his starring role.
"I've always regarded him as a very smart footballer," said Smith.
"He's just a natural - he knows when to pass the ball, he knows when to take the line on.
"He's only a little fella but he's not afraid to take the line on and that's what Origin is all about. And he kicked strong."
With all the talk in the lead up to the clash surrounding the combination of Maloney and Bondi team mate Pearce, the duo paid back rookie coach Laurie Daley for his faith with a stellar performance in controlling the game through both boot and hand.
Lewis also couldn't help but acknowledge the Blues playmaker and Maloney's team mate, Pearce.
"A big thanks to Mitchell Pearce - he got me mentally right," said Lewis.
"He has just been outstanding all week - him and James Maloney getting our game plan right, making sure everyone knew what they were doing.
"Pearcey was just into me all day, every day at training making sure I was doing this and doing that. And it definitely helped tonight."
The final point of the Roosters triangle involved in the clash, Michael Jennings, is the man that everyone is talking about today however with the 2013 Roosters recruit sending ANZ Stadium into a frenzy just three minutes out from half time.
Sweeping in behind the play, in the middle of the field, the man they call 'Jenko' scooped up the loose ball 20m out from the line and danced and drove his way past seven Queensland defenders to reach out and send the Blues into the break with 14-0 lead.
Fitzgibbon also said this morning, "all three were fantastic last night and played really strong. We're all really proud of the way each of them went out there."
All three players have checked in at Roosters HQ this morning, injury free, and will take their place in Trent Robinson's side tomorrow night against the Eels.
Roosters TV will be catching up with our Origin heroes later today, so make sure you stay tuned for their thoughts following the Series opener.
