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This was published 5 years ago
2017: Settled Blues still can't get the job done
NSW managed to select the exact same squad for all three games, yet they were still unable to capitalise as Queensland rallied from defeat in game one.
Result: Queensland 2, NSW 1
Series summary:
Leading 12-4 at half-time of game one after a Mitchell Pearce try just before the break, the Blues then steamrolled Queensland for a 28-4 victory in Brisbane to seemingly grab control of the series.
Boyd Cordner must have felt he had one hand on the shield as NSW took a 16-6 lead into half-time in the second game in Sydney, but Queensland never know when they are beaten - and maybe the Blues allowed their minds to drift?
Two unanswered Dane Gagai tries in the second half squared the series and the Maroons romped to a 22-6 win back on home turf in game three for yet another series triumph, their 11th in 12 years.
Remember this?
When Brett Morris and then Mitchell Pearce scored tries three minutes apart midway through the first half, giving the Blues a 16-6 lead, things were starting to look grim for Queensland.
But the Maroon comeback began with Josh McGuire's spin and run in the 52nd minute that led to one of those broken, length-of-the field tries finished off by Origin try-scoring machine Gagai.
The Blues held a four-point lead until, with four minutes remaining, Billy Slater got the ball to Michael Morgan, whose improbable flick pass found that man Gagai, who stepped back inside to score.
Thurston, as he so often did throughout his career, then nailed the conversion to give Queensland the win and keep them alive.
Memorable quote(s):
"It's a huge night for the state. We've got to turn around the last 10 years of misery and get going on a dynasty of our own. I think it starts tonight." Phil Gould, pre-game two.
"It ain't over until they're finished because Queensland have done some of the Houdini's of rugby league, believe me." Ray Warren at half-time of game two.
Only one of them got it right - and it wasn't Gus.
From the Herald archives:
More from this series:
As so often has been the case, Blues best just not good enough: Chief sport writer Andrew Webster's column following that game two capitulation.
Photo gallery:
Series breakdown:
Game I: NSW 28 Queensland 4, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Queensland: Darius Boyd, Corey Oates, Will Chambers, Justin O'Neill, Dane Gagai, Anthony Milford, Cooper Cronk, Dylan Napa, Cameron Smith (c), Nate Myles, Josh Papalii, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire. Replacements: Michael Morgan, Sam Thaiday, Aidan Guerra, Jacob Lillyman.
New South Wales: James Tedesco, Brett Morris, Josh Dugan, Jarryd Hayne, Blake Ferguson, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Aaron Woods, Nathan Peats, Andrew Fifita, Boyd Cordner (c), Josh Jackson, Tyson Frizell. Replacements: David Klemmer, Wade Graham, Jake Trbojevic, Jack Bird.
Game II: Queensland 18 NSW 16, ANZ Stadium, Sydney
New South Wales: James Tedesco, Brett Morris, Josh Dugan, Jarryd Hayne, Blake Ferguson, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Aaron Woods, Nathan Peats, Andrew Fifita, Boyd Cordner (c), Josh Jackson, Tyson Frizell. Replacements: David Klemmer, Wade Graham, Jake Trbojevic, Jack Bird.
Queensland: Billy Slater, Valentine Holmes, Will Chambers, Darius Boyd, Dane Gagai, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Dylan Napa, Cameron Smith (c), Jarrod Wallace, Gavin Cooper, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire. Replacements: Michael Morgan, Coen Hess, Josh Papalii, Tim Glasby.
Game III: Queensland 22 NSW 6, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Queensland: Billy Slater, Valentine Holmes, Will Chambers, Michael Morgan, Dane Gagai, Cameron Munster, Cooper Cronk, Dylan Napa, Cameron Smith (c), Jarrod Wallace, Gavin Cooper, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire. Replacements: Ben Hunt, Coen Hess, Josh Papalii, Tim Glasby.
New South Wales: James Tedesco, Brett Morris, Josh Dugan, Jarryd Hayne, Blake Ferguson, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Aaron Woods, Nathan Peats, Andrew Fifita, Boyd Cordner (c), Josh Jackson, Tyson Frizell. Replacements: David Klemmer, Wade Graham, Jake Trbojevic, Jack Bird.
Every State of Origin match is now available on nrl.com. To watch games from the 2014 series, follow this link.