Those were the words of praise given to Bathurst's Noah Griffiths by his New South Wales under 18s coach Michael Ennis even though the junior Blues were unable to clinch victory in their State of Origin clash against Queensland on Wednesday night.

While Griffiths did his best to guide the young Blues to glory from halfback, they went down 34-12 to the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium.

But it was still an experience that Bathurst Panthers junior Griffiths will long remember.

Just one year after making his under 16s debut for NSW, Griffiths was given the nod to help steer the under 18s.

In the build up he not only received tuition from Ennis, but the likes of rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns. Griffiths also took part in an opposed training session with the current open age NSW Blues.

Ennis certainly liked what he saw from the young play maker.

"I really like this kid. The Storm have got him on contract and he's been on the radar and in the pathway for a number of years now," Ennis said.

"He's a really mature and controlled halfback for his age. He's slight in stature but like all country boys, has the heart of a lion."

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In what was his first representative match of the year, Griffiths did his best to try and inspire the Blues. But while they enjoyed 53 percent of possession and a 87 percent completion rate, the Queenslanders found the line breaks when it mattered and muscled up in defence.

The Maroons crossed three times in the first half to open up an 18-6 lead, but after the break the Blues came out hard.

Prop Sione Fainu darted out of dummy half to score five minutes after the resumption of play. The conversion made it 18-12 and NSW was back in hunt.

As NSW pushed to get back on level terms Griffiths' boot tested the Maroons, a kick in behind the line with 21 minutes remaining almost leading to a line drop-out, while four minutes later he came within inches of pulling off a 40-20.

But Queensland was the next to score via Xavier Coates and pushed out to a 10-point lead with 15 minutes remaining.

Man of the match Coates then broke the Blues line in the Maroons' following two sets, but both times Griffith came across in cover to help make a try-saving tackle.

The talented Bathurst playmaker also pounced on a loose ball with 12 minutes left to try and keep his side in it, but it was not to be.

An intercept try to Queensland centre Fanitesi Nui then another from Reece Walsh with 2:37 left on the clock iced an impressive win for the hosts.