Tim Mannah has praised Nathan Cleary, believing he is capable of silencing critics who question his ability to perform for New South Wales in this year's series.

While Cleary has been considered an all-time great halfback at a club level, there have always been concerns around his ability to perform at the Origin level.

But on Wednesday night, the Penrith superstar was instrumental in the Blues pulling off the biggest comeback in State of Origin history.

With two try assists, a try of his own, which was helped set up by his own 40/20 and kicking the game-winning conversion with seconds left on the clock, NSW managed to come back from 20-nil to win 22-20 and take a 1-nil series lead.

This would see Cleary pick up the Man of the Match medal with the former Eel in awe of his performance.

“I’m so happy for guys like (Nathan) Cleary and Teddy (James Tedesco) who are more senior,” Mannah said on SEN’s Blues Radio.

“Cleary (has) copped criticism over the years about his inability to dominate on this stage. But we saw that tonight, we saw him grab this game by the throat and absolutely drive it home for us.

“If we are to win this series, which I believe we will, I think he's gonna really silence those critics and really cement his place as one of the all-time great players to ever play the game.”

Cleary will look to replicate his Game I heroics to help secure the shield when NSW plays Queensland in Game II at the MCG on June 17.

MATCH RECAP

In an Origin clash for the ages, New South Wales has pulled off the biggest comeback in the series' history, overcoming a 20-point deficit to win Game I.

But it certainly wasn't without controversy, with a referring call that will be spoken about at length throughout the coming days.

After conceding the first 20 points of the match within the first 20 minutes, the Maroons looked destined to continue their strong record at Accor Stadium, having won three of their last four clashes at the venue.

The Blues did manage a score before half-time, with Hudson Young getting on the end of a Nathan Cleary grubber kick to see NSW trail by 14 points at the main break.

Laurie Daley's men continue to build momentum in the second half. But it wasn't until Queensland was reduced to 12 men as a result of Kalyn Ponga being sent off for a shoulder charge on Tolutau Koula at the 57th minute that the game would change in the Blues' favour.

Minutes later, NSW made the most of the extra man with debutant Ethan Strange running over to score his first try at the level.

Then, as the game entered the final 10 minutes, Penrith's Nathan Cleary executed a 40/20, which laid the groundwork to score a try of his own in their next set to bring the margin within four points.

Queensland then proceeded to defend valiantly before conceding in the final 90 seconds, with the re-selected James Tedesco catching Cleary's high ball to tie before the superstar halfback sealed the famous result.

See all the big moments below.

LIVE BLOG

FULL TIME

NSW 22-20 QLD

The Blues have somehow found a way to claim a 1-nil series lead having pulled off a 20-point comeback in front of a packed out crowd at Accor Stadium.

Nathan Cleary has been named as man of the match.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

NSW 22-20 QLD

What have we seen?

With NSW completing arguably their second last set of the match, Nathan Cleary kicks a high ball for the ages.

And somehow Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow dropped it and James Tedesco has scored to tie the match right next to the posts with Nathan Cleary sealing the victory with five seconds on the clock.

After conceding the first 20 points, the Blues has scored 22 unanswered.

What a game of Rugba League we have witnessed.

Cleary brings it within a try

NSW 16-20 QLD

What a couple of minutes from Nathan Cleary.

The star halfback managed to nail a 40/20 giving the Blues great field position.

Then he storms through for a try and nails the conversion in a six point play.

They're only four poins down, can they secure the comeback?

Chance goes begging for the Blues

NSW 10-20 QLD

The Blues had three men wide open.

Yet somehow, they have not scored with James Tedesco throwing one of the worst passes you'll see to Haumole Olakau'atu resulting in a drop.

NSW close down on Queensland's lead

NSW 10-20 QLD

With the Maroons down to 12 men, the Blues have made the most of the advantage with yet another Raider crossing over.

This time it is Ethan Strange who has scored a magnificant try on his debut.

Nathan Cleary misses the conversion which keeps the lead at 10 points.

Can they close it down in with 16 minutes left?

Ponga SENT OFF

NSW 6-20 QLD

Kalyn Ponga has been sent off by Ashley Klein for a shoulder charge on Toluatu Koula.

It's game on for the Blues with the Maroons reduced to 12 men.

Second half is underway

Half-time

NSW 6-20 QLD

Horo: That was not a penalty on Capewell

NSW 6-20 QLD

It appeared that Cam Murray had scored the Blues' second try.

But after it went to the bunker, it was deemed that the South Sydney forward had laid an early tackle on Queensland's Kurt Capewell.

Following the penalty call, Justin Horo was in disagreement with Chris Butler's call.

Horo: "How is that a penalty?"

"That is not a penalty. That is shoulder-to-shoulder, that's a contest."

Young breaks the run

NSW 6-20 QLD

At last, NSW is on the scoreboard thanks to Hudson Young.

The Canberra forward found his way through to score courtesy of a Nathan Cleary no-look grubber kick, who then put it through the sticks.

Going from bad to worse

NSW 0-18 QLD

Everything is going the way of the Maroons at the moment, and it's pushing the game out of reach for the Blues.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has managed to blow past the NSW defence and get on the end of a Cam Munster grubber kick to score Queensland's third try.

Sam Walker puts it through with ease to extend their lead to 18 points.

Laurie Daley finds himself under immense pressure up in the coach's box to stop this run.

Queensland doubles its lead

NSW 0-12 QLD

Sam Walker is proving to be a handful on debut, having helped set up another try.

This time, it's Tom Fleger who is playing his first game for Queensland since 2023.

The Blues are under siege here.

Blues concede early

NSW 0-6 QLD

The Blues have conceded their first score of the match with Robert Toia crossing over for a try.

Two errors in the lead-up from Mitch Barnett and Stephen Crichton did not help the Blues' cause, seeing them cede field position.

It's been a nervy start for Laurie Daley's men.

We're underway

The action has begun here at Accor Stadium. Let's see what the next 80 minutes have in store.

Final squad

New South Wales

1. James Tedesco 2. Brian To’o 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Tolutau Koula 18. Ethan Strange 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Reece Robson 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Hudson Young 12. Haumole Olakau’atu 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Cameron Murray 15. Victor Radley 16. Jacob Saifiti 17. Blayke Brailey 19. Casey McLean 21. Matt Burton

Coach: Laurie Daley

Why Maloney likes Strange's inclusion

Jimmy Maloney has backed the inclusion of Canberra's Ethan Strange, believing he can work well with Nathan Cleary.

“I like the inclusion of Ethan Strange,” Maloney said on SEN’s The Run Home.

“Obviously, Mitchell Moses will be a loss; he was really good for New South Wales in last year's series, and it's sad for him to miss it.

“But Ethan Strange is an unbelievable runner of the football, so I think New South Wales fall into a system where Nathan Cleary takes full control of organising, steering the side around, and Ethan Strange plays to his strengths.”