New South Wales have taken a narrow early lead in game one of State of Origin, edging ahead of Queensland 8-6 leading up to halftime.
Fullback James Tedesco slid in under the posts after a break up the middle from hooker Damien Cook for the game’s first try.
Cook then found James Maloney, who drew replacement fullback Michael Morgan before passing to Tedesco for the opening try of the game.
Maloney’s conversion and an early penalty goal has given New South Wales an 8-0 lead, before Queensland hit back through a runaway intercept from Valentine Holmes.
State of Origin has kicked off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (Pictured: Josh Addo-Carr tries to evade the grasp of Felise Kaufusi)
More than 80,000 fans have packed into the famous stadium to watch New South Wales and Queensland do battle
Queensland captain Greg Inglis has become the third indigenous player to lead the Maroons in State of Origin
Both teams faced each other during the national anthem, which is a break from tradition where the teams usually stand side by side
Cameron Munster carries the ball into the teeth of the New South Wales defence as Gavin Cooper looks to support him
Holmes converted his own try to bring Queensland within two points of their rivals.
Almost 100,000 fans have packed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch New South Wales and Queensland do battle.
New South Wales are hot favourites to win game one, as they take on a Queensland side that is without legendary players Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater for the first time in more than a decade.
It is a chilly night in Melbourne with the temperature having dropped to 11C.
Smith is in the Channel Nine commentary team for tonight’s game, and earlier on Wednesday he said he would have let his teammates down if he decided not to retire.
Fans have taken to social media to post photos of themselves showing off their colours and declaring their allegiance to either the cane toads or the cockroaches.
Greg Inglis looks to palm off New South Wales debutant Nathan Cleary as James Tedesco approaches to make a tackle
Cameron Munster is wrapped up by the New South Wales defence as prop David Klemmer heads in to support his team
Felise Kaufusi is brought down by the New South Wales defence under the watchful eye of Blues captain Boyd Cordner
Tonight’s game will pit Queensland against New South Wales at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Supporters took to social media to share photos of themselves getting into the State of Origin spirit.
Jerseys, flags and banners were all on show – with Schappelle Corby sharing a photo of a special beer holder featuring a cane toad.
Fans even dressed up their pets in cute costumes to show their support.
The game that brings state against state and mate versus mate is just hours away as the fierce interstate rivalry hits fever pitch – and even Schappelle Corby (right) has been showing her support for Queensland
Even pets have been getting into the State of Origin spirit by wearing their team colours
Australians are getting behind their respective teams as the first game of the State of Origin series is about to kick off
Looking to put a stop to the Maroons’ 13 year reign of dominance, the NSW Blues has overlooked experience for a new look team, where 11 players will don the sky blue jersey for the first time
NSW ditched the team bus and chose to walk to the famous ground before kick off.
The decision by coach Brad Fittler was the first time the team had not taken a bus to the MCG, and it allowed them to avoid peak-hour traffic which has been steadily building near the ground as kick off looms.
Looking to put a stop to the Maroons’ 13 year reign of dominance, NSW have chosen a new look team, where 11 players will don the sky blue jersey for the first time.
Boyd Cordner will lead the Blues out in his second series as captain.
The Maroons also have a relatively new look side with no Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater or Cameron Smith.
NSW-born Greg Inglis will captain the Maroons for the first time.
The Blues will go into the series opener as favourites priced at $1.42 while Queensland are out to $3, according to Sportsbet.
Former footballer Beau Ryan joked that his wife Kara had forced split allegiances in their family by putting a Queensland jersey on baby Jesse
Kick off to the 2018 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is just hours away, fans and players alike are already buzzing with nerves and excitement
Fans have gone so far as to decorate the outside of their homes to show their support during this year’s State of Origin
The Maroons also have a relatively new look side with no Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater or Cameron Smith
Nothing unlocks the passion in anyone from New South Wales or Queensland quite like State of Origin
The New South Wales players walked to the stadium from their hotel instead of catching a bus to the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Walking meant the New South Wales players avoided the peak-hour traffic that had been steadily building towards kick off in Melbourne