"Learn from the past, but don't dwell on it. The state of NSW deserves it".
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It's the simple mantra NSW will take to ANZ Stadium on June 24, as they go in search of just their second State of Origin series win in 13 years.
The Blues' new era kick-started like a dream on Wednesday night. None of the rookies cracked under pressure while the more experienced players stood up when it mattered most in the 22-12 win.
But false dawns have occurred before.
NSW led both the 2013 and 2017 series with a game to play at home and still lost them both.
"At the end of the day we've won one game," five-eighth James Maloney said.
"We won really well last year. So we've been here before. The job is not done.
"We'll see how we go game two. It will be awesome to do. NSW deserves it.
"There's a good chance it won't go like (Wednesday night). It will be tougher again and harder to clinch the series."
There are, however, some differences with this Blues side of 11 rookies and ones of years gone by.
Most notably their mental scars are minor and come from watching the Maroons' dominance on TV, not feeling it on the paddock.
And it showed in everything they did in game one.
The Blues looked the better side for the majority but trailed 12-8 early in the second half, setting up a comeback scenario that Queensland savour - like most recently in game two last year in Sydney.
"We don't want to speak about last year too much," fullback James Tedesco, who was easily NSW's best, told AAP.
"We came into this game not thinking about the past, we just knew it was a new era and guys coming in. That brought out the best of everyone.
"In that last 5-10 (minutes) you think Queensland will come back and it will be a last-minute win. But these guys didn't have that mentality."
The good news for the Blues is that all those players are likely to be available for Sydney, barring injuries in the next two rounds of the NRL.
Only hooker Damien Cook had any major concerns after he hurt his sternum after copping the knee of Will Chambers, but he was cleared of any serious injury on Thursday.
Coach Brad Fittler is also unlikely to make any changes given game two has a shorter camp time, with the match played on the Sunday after round 15 rather than the following Wednesday.
"All the debutants will be better for the run. They'll know what's coming and they'll be more prepared," Maloney said.
Australian Associated Press
