Ferguson, who usually plays centre for his club and in other representative matches, made his debut on the right wing whilst Cronulla forward Fifita earned his spot on the interchange.

Other major changes to the NSW team included Jarryd Hayne moving from the wing to replace the injured Brett Stewart at fullback.

Captain Paul Gallen moved back into the front-row making way for Ryan Hoffman to return to the Blues squad for the first time since 2008.

Queensland came up with several opportunities to score in the first half including Boyd almost crossing in the corner, however the Blues defence came rushing in every time to defuse any chance.

Manly Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans and Canberra Raiders second rower Josh Papalii made their debuts on the bench after both were standing reserves for the first match.

Josh Dugan, who earlier in the season was sacked from the Canberra Raiders for repeated off field disciplinary issues then subsequently signed for the St George Illawarra Dragons almost two months later, took up the fullback spot due to Jarryd Hayne succumbing to a club game injury whilst Brett Stewart remained unavailable for selection.

Wests Tigers prop forward Aaron Woods replaced James Tamou in the front row who was suspended from the match after he was charged with high-range drink driving.

Winger Blake Ferguson was also stood down from the squad shortly after he was announced in consequence of a publicized off field drama where he was charged with indecent assault.

In the second half, after a fight broke out in the ruck four players were sin-binned: Queensland's Brent Tate and Justin Hodges, and New South Wales' Trent Merrin and Greg Bird.

James Tamou returned from disciplinary suspension to rejoin the front-row and replace Gallen, whilst Robbie Farah was handed the captaincy role.

[4] The attendance of 83,813 beat the previous record of 83,702 set just 10 days earlier for a rugby union Test between Australia and the British & Irish Lions.

The ensuing set resulted in Thurston adding another 2 points after James Maloney was penalised for a shoulder charge on the kicker Cooper Cronk.

The Blues hit back in the 25th minute after consecutive penalties and some clever work by Josh Morris saw James McManus score in the corner.

Both sides started the second half in a rather pensive mood before NSW seemed to gain the ascendancy in field position and general flow of the match.

With just over 10 minutes to go Trent Merrin steadied some disorganised play by straightening and barging through a terrible attempted tackle by Corey Parker, to score right under the sticks.

James Maloney ended up hoisting the ball into the heavens which Billy Slater climbed high to mark with Ryan Hoffman and Andrew Fifita giving away a penalty for tackling him in the air.