Trent Hodkinson has credited a week out of the spotlight in Coffs Harbour as the key to his encouraging State of Origin debut for NSW.

Hodkinson became the first Blues halfback since Steve Mortimer in 1982 to win on debut in Brisbane as NSW edged out Queensland 12-8 in an enthralling encounter at Suncorp Stadium.

The Canterbury playmaker claims his performance was assisted by not being in Sydney before the game and away from the pressure-cooker environment that is the build-up to an Origin opener.

“It was great bunkering down in Coffs Harbour. You’re away from all the hype from newspapers and the TV,” Hodkinson told AAP.

“While I was up there, I didn’t watch any TV or read the paper. Looking back, the week went so quick and I now have one game under my belt.

“In camp, we just worried about ourselves and I think that togetherness showed when we were camped on our tryline late in the second half and held them out.

“It was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life – to run out at Suncorp Stadium, sing the anthem and get the win.”

Blues coach Laurie Daley was full of praise for his Bulldogs halves pairing of Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds and said they showed they were more than capable of coping in Origin.

“Trent has really surprised me this week,” Daley said.

“He is just calm, confident and really led all of our training sessions.

“He’s a guy who knows his role and how to get people around him playing.

“There was a lot of talk about him and Josh not handling it and being targeted, which they were, but sometimes youthful exuberance can help on a big stage.”