NSW coach Brad Fittler will seek out referees’ boss Jared Maxwell as the spotlight shines on two divisive plays that put Queensland in the box seat to reclaim the State of Origin shield.

But Fittler admitted he doesn’t “know if it made the difference in the game” after his side fell to a 16-10 defeat at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.

A cut-out ball from Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga leading to Dane Gagai’s try is the first point of contention amid concern a forward pass was missed by referee Ashley Klein.

The second is the sight of Blues prop Junior Paulo being held in a scrum while Maroons halfback Daly Cherry-Evans darted over from close range to score Queensland’s second try.

Fittler says “it’ll be interesting to speak to Jared and his view on the ball going forward and Junior Paulo being held”, but the Blues mentor pinpointed another major reason for his side’s series-opening loss.

“The speed of our play the ball,” Fittler said as he lamented Queensland’s dominance at the ruck. The Maroons’ average play the ball speed was 3.25 seconds compared to the Blues’ 3.4.

“They got in tight and they held on,” Fittler added. “They didn’t want to give penalties away, I think we got a penalty with 17 minutes to go. They did a great job, they worked hard there and they definitely won the ruck.

“[Queensland five-eighth Cameron] Munster came up with a couple of valuable steals at crucial times. Outside that, once we generated some speed I thought we looked pretty strong. Generally, they just won the ruck and took some time out of that.