Laurie Daley Finds The Winning Formula: "The Key Is To Have More Players On The Field Than Queensland"

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The NSW Blues have proven that maybe they do get State Of Origin, after staging a colossal comeback in last night's series opener, sealing victory with a match-winning try from James Tedesco in the final minute.

The end result of eighty minutes of sloshing wet weather footy was 22-20 to NSW, leaving the sea of blue fans in a state of excited pandemonium.

After initially looking like it was going to become yet another Queensland blow out, momentum of the game changed completely in the second half when Maroon fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge on Tolutau Koula.

Queensland fans could only watch in horrified silence as the NSW Blues clawed their way back into the match, and then edged ahead just moments before the final buzzer.

This was all part of the plan, according to NSW super-coach Laurie Daley, who says he has finally identified the winning formula for the Blues side.

Daley did not want to weigh into the controversial Kalyn Ponga send-off, however, he did point out that the Blues play their best footy when they are only facing 12 opponents, as opposed to the usual 13.

"What we want is to build a winning culture" he told The Betoota Advocate at a post-match press conference last night.

"And to do that, we need to outplay the Maroons"

"What we learnt tonight was that when we have more players on the field than Queensland, we are at a natural advantage, and that's when the magic happens"

Laurie Daley remained tight-lipped about any changes to the playing squad or playbook in the lead up to Game 2, but reiterated that after coaching the Blues in 18 Origin matches over the last two decades, it has taken a while to build what he saw on the field last night.

"The key is to have more players than them. When they are one player down, it creates the margin we need to score points, and ultimately win matches"

However, Daley says there is always room for improvement.

"Playing against eleven Queenslanders would be even better"