State of Origin 2020: Cameron Munster shows his class as Queensland destroy NSW dreams
With his grand final partying cut short, Cameron Munster enjoyed himself at the expense of battered NSW as Queensland pulled off an Origin series win for the ages.
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If only Cameron Munster had got his way.
Not last night, three weeks ago, when so badly did the Queenslander want to continue downing schooners at the week-long Melbourne Storm grand final party, he rang Maroons assistant Mal Meninga, begging for an extension to keep blowing the froth off a couple more.
Storm and Maroons teammate Felise Kaufusi even joked Munster would be in doubt for the first game of this year’s Origin series, for what reason exactly?
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“$1.01 from his hangover,” Kaufusi said.
“He knows how to have a good time.’’
He sure does. And on Wednesday night in front of a raucous Suncorp Stadium crowd, it was at the Blues expense.
“This is the pinnacle of rugby league and I’m so grateful to be playing with such great players,’’ Munster said.
“It’s our first series win without the big boys (Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith or Johnathan Thurston). Let’s celebrate.”
Munster, the Storm five-eighth who shattered the hearts of Nathan Cleary’s Panthers in the grand final, did it again to the Blues.
After the match it was almost as though he was aware of the torment he had caused when he singled Cleary out for mention.
“I just want to shout out to Nathan Cleary. You’ve been killing it all year, I’m a big fan and the way you played this year is outstanding,’’ Munster said.
So devastating was the Rockhampton junior’s display, the question is now worth asking; Would the Blues have been so dominant in Origin II, if Munster hadn’t been ruled out of the remainder of the match after leaving the field for a HIA in the third minute?
What question isn’t up for debate is that Munster is the best no.6 in the world.
In a State of Origin series that was billed as ‘unlosable’ for the short-priced Blues, Munster was everything to a young, brash and written-off Maroons side.
With Queensland legend and champion five-eighth Darren Lockyer watching from the sideline at Suncorp, Munster was Lockyer-esqe as he picked and prodded the devastated Blues to a standstill.
Munster’s first-half was part-brutal, part-brilliant.
His 36th minute play was defining on the entire match and everything that made Lockyer the great player he was.
The good player’s make the ball bounce for them - that’s what Lockyer did and that’s what Munster can do, too.
Just when the Blues felt they had shut down the Maroons inside their own half to take a 6-6-score to the break, Munster snatched a last-ditch pass, jinked down a short-side before chipping the ball into the open space.
The live ball created all sorts of carnage for a scramble of Blues jumpers and like so often on Wednesday night, the bounce of the ball landed into the grasps of the Maroons.
Munster plays footy like he only ever sees green lights and from the next play-the-ball, he raced onto the next pass and went for the throat.
Spotting space and unmarked Queensland jumpers, Munster lofted a kick across field for his outside men, with debutant Edrick Lee the beneficiary of the class and vision of his teammate.
By half-time, Munster had run the Blues defence ragged with six runs for 55-metres, a tackle bust, an offload and a try-assist.
With the result still up for grabs at 14-6 and with 24 minutes to play, Munster had run for 5.9km - the most of any other player in a Queensland jumper.
Yet despite his preparation for Origin I being based on schooners and then limited by his head knock from game two, there Munster was again when the Blues were screaming for respite in defence, jabbing a kick in-goal for more pressure and pain for NSW.
The Blues end this series with more questions than answers. The post-mortem has already begun.
It’s a case of ‘if only’ for NSW fans, too.
If only Meninga had granted Munster that leave pass.
Crushing blow: Moment NSW three-peat dream was over
- Dean Ritchie
He was born just five years after World War II. It was January 1, 1950, in Allora, Queensland; population 1223.
Who would have thought 70 years later this old grump - Wayne Bennett – would snap NSW’s hearts yet again? Bennett started coaching Queensland in 1986 – years before any of the current Queensland players were born.
Led by stars Cameron Munster and Harry Grant, Bennett’s Queensland pulled off a State of Origin miracle on Wednesday night with a stunning 20-14 win over NSW at a packed Suncorp Stadium.
This was the most remarkable Queensland series win since 1995. Victory gave Queensland an unlikely 2-1 series win against heavy odds. Victory denied NSW a famous three-peat.
The Blues threw everything at Queensland in the dying moments but the weary Maroons held on. Even after full time, there was further drama when NSW challenged a dropped ball as Queensland players were celebrating wildly.
It was Bennett who masterminded the triumph after being rushed in as new Maroons coach on October 1 – just six weeks ago.
This may not be the best Queensland side we have seen but it just may be the most courageous. The Maroons dominated field possession and dominated the middle.
To the roar of ‘Queenslander, Queenslander’, the Maroons scored three tries to overpower NSW through a wealth of possession and commitment.
It will be remembered as one of Bennett’s most remarkable coaching achievements with what many felt was clearly an inferior side compared to the star-studded Blues.
Bennett edged out his NSW counterpart, Brad Fittler, who is 22 years younger. This year was his return to Origin after 17 seasons. He first coached the Maroons way back in 1986.
Queensland dominated from kick off and bombed at least three tries. There were even two pitch invaders, maybe they could have helped NSW.
Grant, the Wests Tigers and Melbourne-bound hooker, changed the momentum of the game when used off the bench while Munster was virtually untouchable at times.
Queensland’s NRL sides won just 17 of 60 games this season. At least fans can now laud their Origin side. It was the 180th and final game of 2020 to end what was a tumultuous yet amazing season for rugby league.
BLUES BOMBED IT
Blues winger Josh Addo-Carr was felled by a professional foul late in the game – he was tackled off the ball by Corey Allan – but a penalty try was denied.
NSW’s chances were thrown into chaos in the 20th minute when Tedesco was heavily concussed – his head collided with Josh Papalii’s right knee - and substituted. He did not return.
It was a crushing blow for the Blues. Penrith’s Isaah Yeo was the replacement at centre with Clint Gutherson shifting to fullback.
With just five minutes remaining, NSW five-eighth Cody Walker was also knocked out and taken from the field.
The Blues did an enormous amount of defence but still managed to lift late to ensure another thrilling finish. NSW would be bitterly disappointed with the match and series result given the brilliant side they fielded.
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MAGNIFICENT MAROONS
Queensland brought the crowd into the game with a try to winger Val Holmes after just four minutes by running on the sixth tackle. It was his ninth Origin try but he later bombed a certain try late which would have nailed the result.
Just five minutes later, NSW levelled the scores when new Maroons and South Sydney fullback Corey Allan fumbled a simple kick allowing Tedesco to score.
Queensland’s second try – scored by winger Edrick Lee - came after no less than three kicks from Munster in the lead-up. It was Lee’s first game in seven weeks. Munster was red hot in the first half.
Grant’s try in the 63rd minute sealed the win although NSW did fire back through a try to winger Daniel Tupou. Queensland enjoyed 63 per cent of possession foe the opening 60 minutes.
Originally published as State of Origin 2020: Cameron Munster shows his class as Queensland destroy NSW dreams
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