As the bull riding action got underway Saturday evening for the highly anticipated 2022 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Australia Monster Energy Origin Tournament in Newcastle, New South Wales, Team Queensland dazzled inside the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
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Backed by a strong opening round effort, and a perfect performance by young gun Qynn Andersen (Koumala, Queensland), Team Queensland inched closer to winning their third consecutive PBR Origin Championship, victorious at PBR Origin I - Newcastle.
Mr Kleier said he was proud of Team Queensland's performance during the event.
"It is a great privilege to put on this maroon's jersey," Kleier said.
"It's good, we've kicked it off like we've clicked the other years off. Hopefully keep it on a roll and win the next two."
New South Wales Captain, and 2016 PBR Australia Champion, Cody Heffernan of Singleton set the tone early for his contingent in the second round.
After watching on as rival captain Kleier was bucked off by Kit Carson (Throsby & Russell Bucking Bulls) in a swift 1.94 seconds, Heffernan responded with a resounding 86-point ride atop Call Me Joe (Throsby & Russell Bucking Bulls).
"It is a great honour to be captain of New South Wales, such a great group of guys but tonight we just came up short," Heffernan said.
"We got off to a slow start, Queensland cracked down a few good rides straight up.
"We did catch up but too little too late so we'll make Tamworth count."
With crucial national points also on the line, Team Queensland's Qynn Andersen finished atop the podium, earning 71 national points.
Heffernan, who finished second on the night to score 55 national points, solidified his second rank in the national standings.
The three-part 2022 PBR Origin tournament continues on Saturday, April 23, with Origin II at the AELEC Arena in Tamworth, New South Wales.
