Queensland 'supercoach' Wayne Bennett could not contain his joy, as his underdog Maroons defied the odds to snatch a miraculous victory over New South Wales in the State of Origin opener.
Known for his cantankerous public demeanour, especially around media, the 70-year-old master showed the other side of his enigmatic personality after the dramatic 18-14 win in Adelaide, welcoming his players into the locker room and encouraging them to join him in dance.
South Sydney coach Bennett was called up for his third stint as Queensland mentor only last month, after incumbent Kevin Walters inheritted Brisbane Broncos NRL role.
The result provided his 11th Origin victory from 19 appearances and Bennett could not be happier, as his side rallied from 10-0 down at halftime to snatch the lead with two converted tries in four minutes.
Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans credits Bennett's halftime rark-up for the second-half turnaround.
"We were a bit scrappy, we were a bit loose and that clear direction at halftime from Wayne gave us what we needed," he says. "He just challenged a few of us to get our hands on the ball and attack them a bit more."
But with COVID-19 forcing a change to traditional State of Origin format, the next encounter is only a week away and he understands the challenge of getting his players back up in short notice.
"I'm not sure what category you put that in, but it's pretty special," says Bennett. "But they've just got to be tough enough mentally to come back and repeat what they did here tonight.
"That's the first challenge - they've got the ability to do that. The hard thing is coming off a high and having to come back in seven days and play again a team that's been beaten, that will have a different attitude to what we'll have."
Both teams face injury issues, with Bennett forced to juggle his backline, when centre Brenko Lee failed a last-minute fitness test on a calf strain. Back-rower Kurt Capewell filled in at centre, before he too succumbed to a groin injury.
New South Wales captain Boyd Cordner copped yet another head knock, and although he passed concussion tests and returned to the field, the incident rekindled concerns over his long-term health.
"I was fit to go back on and play, so went back on and played," he explains. "It's not ideal to keep getting head knocks, I understand that, but I've got the best people around me and have sought the best advice, and I'll keep doing that.
"I've got some tests to pass during the week and will go from there."
Interchange forward Cam Murray last only five minutes off the bench, before exiting with a hamstring strain.
Join us next Wednesday for live updates of Queensland v NSW in State of Origin II
