‘Absolute classic’: NSW wins ‘unthinkable’ Origin decider with three-minute blitz

One of the most brutal State of Origin matches of all time ended with New South Wales claiming an astonishing, historic victory in Queensland.

NSW have won the 2024 State of Origin series.

NSW has defeated Queensland 14-4 in the State of Origin decider to clinch the shield against the odds.

Both teams came to play at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium as the decider turned into a physical all-time classic, despite being a low-scoring affair.

With points hard to come by, Queensland opted to take a penalty goal in the first half with the score 2-0 in the Maroons’ favour after 40 minutes.

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Tensions spilled over in the first half when Jarome Luai instigated some argy bargy with Daly Cherry-Evans after a knock-on, prompting a full blown melee.

Queensland’s Jeremiah Nanai was sin binned for coming in over the top, as was NSW”s Cameron Murray who ran from the interchange bench to join the fray.

Referee Ashley Klein was having none of it and sent them to the sin bin, but Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith weren’t impressed with the sin bin calls.

Queensland took a 4-2 lead in the second half before Jarome Luai shimmied his way through the Maroons defence and made a break, before setting up Bradman Best who muscled his way over for a superb try in the corner.

Blues halfback Mitchell Moses waltzed through a tired Queensland defence just three minutes later to put the result beyond doubt with 10 minutes to go.

NSW celebrate with the Origin shield. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Bradman Best’s try broke the game open. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

The NSW Blues clinched the shield in a stunning decider. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

It’s a stunning result for NSW to win its first Origin series since 2021 in a perfect start to Michael Maguire’s stint as head coach.

Billy Slater was going for a perfect hat-trick of series wins, but not even a late change to mix up his forward pack could get the job done.

After Joseph Sua’ali’i’s hit on Reece Walsh handed Queensland victory in Game 1, NSW blew the Maroons off the park in Game 2 to level the series and completely flip the momentum of the series.

And the Blues carried that momentum into Game 3, where an all-time gutsy victory secured their place in rugby league history.

This NSW side is just the third Blues team after the legendary 1994 and 2005 teams to win an Origin decider in enemy territory.

Mitchell Moses scored the matchwinner. Picture: NRL Photos

“Michael Maguire, take a bow,” Andrew Johns said on Channel 9.

“But these players, not only NSW players, the Queensland players (too), have done everything for their state. This has been an absolute classic. It doesn’t get any better.”

Mat Thompson added: “Almost unthinkable, after Joseph Sua’ali’i was sent from the field at Accor Stadium in Game 1, that Michael Maguire could lead this NSW team back to victory in a deciding game at Suncorp Stadium.”

Dylan Edwards was named player of the match and Angus Crichton was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series.

Originally published as ‘Absolute classic’: NSW wins ‘unthinkable’ Origin decider with three-minute blitz