Ethan Strange shone for NSW, helping them win 22-20. He impressed legends like Johns and Smith with his performance.
Canberra Raiders playmaker Ethan Strange stamped himself as a long-term State of Origin star after sparking NSW to life and helping them steal an opening game win on Wednesday night.
Strange attracted high praise from league icons Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith, who both described the 21-year-old as the best player in a tense clash in Sydney.
The Blues came from behind to snatch a 22-20 win at the death and Strange played a huge role just two days after being called into the starting team as injury replacement for Mitchell Moses.
He scored one try and had another denied for obstruction, laid on some huge tackles and looked lively every time he touched the ball as the Blues mounted their second-half comeback.