New South Wales delivered one of the greatest State of Origin boilovers on Wednesday night, defeating Queensland 12-30 at Suncorp Stadium to claim the Origin shield with a 2-1 series victory. Despite being outplayed in Sydney and smashed in Melbourne, the Blues silenced a hostile crowd with a commanding performance.
Cleary leads the charge
Nathan Cleary was the hero, scoring two tries and kicking five goals from five attempts to win the Wally Lewis Medal as Man of the series. Cleary had a one-word strategy for the decider: "Control." After missing an Origin record 10 tackles in game two, the NSW maestro orchestrated the first half, steering his team with precision. His halves partner Mitchell Moses repeatedly kicked 60 metres downfield to pin Queensland in their own territory.
NSW sent in shock troopers Liam Martin and Hudson Young with controlled violence, twice almost resulting in tries. In the ninth minute, debutant Jack Bostock outleapt Jojo Fifita and forced six-again, but the winger bobbled the pass with the line open. Minutes later, Mark Nawaqanitawase crossed the line but fumbled Cleary's kick.
First-half dominance
Strong runs by Mitch Barnett and Payne Haas from bullet passing by Reece Robson gave Cleary time to draw first blood. He turned a slow play-the-ball into an ambush charge, stepping Kurt Capewell and surging through three Maroons to score. The Maroons made their fourth error of the quarter when Kalyn Ponga bungled an overlap, gifting NSW the ball. Haas bent the line and Bradman Best broke it, setting up Cleary's second try. At 0-12, the Suncorp cauldron was quietened.
When Cameron Murray smashed through three defenders to score, the lead grew to 0-18, and the stadium fell deathly silent. Queensland struck back when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow forced an error from Nawaqanitawase, and Munster sparked a fire, with Tabuai-Fidow barreling between two tacklers to crash into the corner for his 14th Origin try.
Second-half drama
Queensland coach Billy Slater sent on Reece Walsh for a groggy Sam Walker early in the second half. Walsh immediately shot a sublime pass for Ponga to set up Selwyn Cobbo to kick and catch and dot down. The crowd found their voice, but it turned to jeers when a contentious aerial contest was scooped up by Best, who raced 80 metres to score. Despite replays showing the ball clip Bostock's hand and go forward, the try was upheld.
At 8-24, Queensland fought back. Walker threw a mongrel pass and Toia made it stock, sending Jojo Fifita over in the corner. Walker missed the conversion. The Maroons looked to have done it again when Toia sped away, but the bunker found Max Plath a step offside. Cleary kicked a penalty goal to make 26-12, sealing the victory.
