Billy Slater was quick to shut down questions about Blues forward Isaah Yeo’s head knock in the opening minutes of the game.

“That’s not my concern,” Slater told reporters. “As the coach of Queensland I try to focus on what I can control for my team”.

The Queensland coach was much more eager to talk about the connection he and his team formed over the past 10 days that led them to an Origin victory at a stadium the Maroons had only won at nine times before.

In a very even first half, where the Blues had 53 per cent of possession, Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans said the first half flew by.

“Origin is always high-paced and high energy and tonight was no different. Those first 40 minutes went in the blink of an eye,” Cherry-Evans said.

But after Queensland ran away with the second half, despite a last-minute push from the Blues, Slater was eager to stay in the moment rather than look forward to the work that had to be done before Origin II in Perth.

“Right now it’s not about winning the Origin series, it’s not even about preparing for the second game. It’s about this moment. We really need to enjoy this moment,” Slater said.

When prodded on who his man of the match was, Slater said it was like being asked to pick who your favourite child was, but conceded that Cameron Munster had an exceptional game.

“He’s playing some exceptional footy, and we want the footy in his hands,” Slater said.