Bellamy's Blues warning as focus shifts to Perth

Westpac NSW Blues advisor Craig Bellamy has declared the side’s lethal right edge will be even more dangerous in Game Two in a warning shot to the Maroons.

The Blues scored three of their four tries down the right flank in Wednesday night’s 18-6 win, with winger Zac Lomax crossing for a double and producing the first of two miracle passes for Dylan Edwards’ match-sealing try.

Centre Stephen Crichton was at his destructive best just two days after suffering a severe cork and halfback Nathan Cleary played a role in all four tries in his return to the Origin arena.

The Blues focus will now turn to securing a second-straight series victory at Optus Stadium on June 19 and Bellamy warned Queensland to expect a more polished attacking performance.

“Nathan and Critta gelled during the week and then having Zac out there on the wing and Liam Martin on the inside being another Penrith player,” Bellamy told NRl.com.

“That’s three of them there that have played a fair bit of football together and that proved crucial for us. That right edge did a really good job.

“I’d like to think we’ll get better with our attack. They’ll get to know each other better, work out the plays that are going to suit us and go from there.”

While thrilled to secure back-to-back wins at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since 1997-98, the Blues kept their celebrations low key on Wednesday night.

The Maroons were comprehensively beaten up front and out wide but perhaps the most concerning sign for Billy Slater’s men is the Blues acknowledgement of how much room for improvement they have.

Despite this, NSW are expecting a response from their interstate rivals, with a number of Queensland stars uncharacteristically quiet in the opener.

Crichton and Lomax played a key role in nullifying Cam Munster and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, with the pair shutting down their opponents defensively.

While the Blues are undefeated at Optus Stadium, Lomax said they must lift their game if they want to secure a second-straight series in Perth.

“We’re going to give it our best shot,” he told NRL.com. “We have to go back to clubland and be the best players we can be then come back and get back to work.

“Having Nathan and Critta there feeds me with confidence. I love being able to play with them, the whole week’s been unreal so we’re looking forward to getting back together and going again.”

Among the primary talking points leading into Game One was the question of how Cleary and five-eighth Mitchell Moses would combine.

As expected, Cleary was the primary playmaker and did the lion’s share of the kicking.

Given the lofty expectations placed on the halfback, there has been some criticism externally of his performance in his first Origin match since Game One 2023.

While a poor night for goal kicking has attracted plenty of attention, Cleary controlled the contest in attack and handled everything the Maroons threw at him defensively.