Fullback Jarryd Hayne says NSW’s gutsy 12-8 State of Origin win is the proudest moment of career in a Blues’ shirt.

Hayne was immense against Queensland, especially in the opening half as he set up one try and scored another.

The 26-year-old got the Blues on level terms following Darius Boyd’s opener for the Maroons when he fended off Johnathan Thurston and found Brett Morris.

He then did it all himself for the Blues’ second try, muscling free of Thurston’s tackle before rolling past three Queensland players to plant the ball over the line.

In all, Hayne made 147 metres, two offloads, nine tackle busts and also didn’t miss one tackle as the Maroons hammered the visitors’ line in the dying minutes.

“I’ve never been a part of a team that just consistently resisted them,” Hayne said.

“It was a great win.

“Individually, I just went to a place I’d never been before. I remember one point I was on the deadball line, on my knees and literally could not feel my legs … I made it to the 20 metre line and missed the whole set, I was just gone.

“There was a time in my head there where I was just like ‘keep moving’.”

Hayne says he’s grown up over the past 12 months since he was appointed co-captain of Parramatta and he brought that new leadership into the Blues camp.

“It’s just maturity,” he said.

“I spoke about it during the week, that everyone needs to bring their A-game and bring something to the table. If you’re going to be a leader you can’t wait for someone else to do it.”