Laurie Daley is under pressure to ditch his pick-and-stick policy after the Blues coach's contentious selection of Dylan Walker backfired spectacularly in State of Origin I.
Picked as a potential gamebreaker, Walker endured a nightmare Origin debut after being thrust into the fray with nine minutes remaining and the match on the line.
Forced to make 11 tackles while seemingly filling a forward's role, the backline utility then fumbled possession trying to milk a penalty after his first touch.
Daley's famous loyalty will be put to the test when he weighs up whether or not to persist with Walker.
His tactics too have come under heavy criticism, with the Blues showing little imagination in their constant attempts to go around the Maroons defence on the back of a pack that more than held its own.
"We had a new six, seven and one. Most coaches will tell you when you are putting a spine together that takes time," he said.
"I thought they combined really well. (I was) happy with how they went. They will be better in game two for it."
Daley needs to go back to the drawing board in a bid to keep the series alive with victory in Origin II in Brisbane on June 22.