The New South Wales debutantes are being praised for their role in the Blues 22 – 12 victory over Queensland in the Origin opener at the MCG.

They trailed early in the second half, before scoring three unanswered tries to draw first blood in the series.

Blues five-eighth James Maloney joined Chris Smith following the victory, saying the rookies rose to the occasion.

“We tried our best to sort of let ’em know what was coming. You just never actually know until you’re there and experience it first hand.

“They all handled it really well and everyone did their job.”

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