Up up NSW.

When Cronulla lifted the NRL premiership trophy last year, who would have predicted it would have a profound effect on NSW’s State of Origin fortunes?

When the Blues needed players to stand up and be counted on Wednesday, it was their Sharks connection of Andrew Fifita, James Maloney and Wade Graham who produced something special in their 28-4 win over Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.

Their understanding forged by playing week-in week-out came to the fore as they were instrumental in NSW taking game one in enemy territory.

Laurie Daley’s men will head to ANZ Stadium in three weeks with a golden opportunity to break Queensland’s run of two straight series wins and lift the Origin shield for just the second time in 12 years.

When Fifita shrugged off some ordinary attempts at tackles from Nate Myles and Matt Gillett to find space, Maloney was backing up on the inside to claim first points.

Mitchell Pearce’s try just before halftime can also be put down to the Sharks connection.

Fifita – who had just come back on the field after going off for a head injury assessment – made a barnstorming run and with Queensland on the back foot, Maloney and Graham decided to run it on the last and found space for Pearce.

When Pearce was taken from the field in the 51st minute after a head knock, Jack Bird – who had been on the field for a minute – was pushed into the halves and he and Maloney piloted their side over the line.

Again, Hayne’s 60th minute try came down to the work of Maloney and Graham. They recognised Queensland were short on numbers on the left-hand side and ran the ball with Hayne powering his way over.

Maloney finished with two linebreaks, two linebreak assists and one try assist.

Fifita had 153 metres, seven tackle busts, two offloads, one linebreak, one linebreak assist and one try assist.

Graham had one linebreak assist and 18 tackles playing off the bench.