State of Origin 2024: NSW team bring shield back to Sydney

Blues reserve Haumole Olakau’atu says he regrets becoming involved in the wild State of Origin melee that has him facing a hefty suspension. Plus, the victorious NSW side are back in Sydney with the State of Origin shield. SEE THE PICS

The victorious NSW Blues squad have left Brisbane airport and are on route to Sydney.

The State of Origin series winners boarded their flight from Queensland around 11am on Thursday – with the shield in hand, following their 14-4 history making performance against the Queensland Maroons.

Earlier on Thursday morning, Blues reserves Haumole Olakau’atu and Joseph Suaalii touched down in Sydney.

A remorseful Olakau’atu says he regrets becoming involved in the wild State of Origin melee that has him facing a hefty suspension.

Dressed in his Blues blazer, the Manly second-rower was evicted from the field after a scuffle between Blues and Maroons players spilt over the sidelines in the first half of Wednesday night’s decider at Suncorp Stadium.

It resulted in sin bins for Cameron Murray and Jeremiah Nanai in the first half of the Blues’ 14-4 win over the Maroons, but even further ramifications for Olakau’atu.

Olakau’atu could be seen among the throng of players as tensions boiled over. He grabbed Maroons winger Valentine Holmes as the players from both sides came together. Olakau’atu watched the game from the dressing room before he was banned from entering the field of play at the end of the game while the rest of his teammates celebrated a famous victory.

Olakau’atu arrived back in Sydney on Thursday morning and spoke about the boilover.

“I wish I didn’t,” he said of his involvement. “I just saw red.

“As every teammate would, I just went into help and kind of just stopped the fight.”

Olakau’atu said the fight was not “personal” against any of the Maroons players.

“You just have to go out there and protect your teammates,” he said.

The NRL banished Olakau’atu to the dressing rooms for the remainder of the game, and even stopped him from returning to the field after the full-time siren.

He was forced to stand in the tunnel while his teammates lifted the shield on the Suncorp Stadium turf.

The NRL’s match review committee then doubled down on Thursday morning, charging Olakau’atu and eight other players for their involvement in the melee.

Olakau’atu, who played the opening two games of the series but was part of the extended squad for Origin III, was hit with a grade-three contrary conduct charge and will miss the next two games after taking the early guilty plea.

It means he will miss seventh-placed Manly’s clash with the Gold Coast on Sunday and their blockbuster match against the Sydney Roosters the following week.

Despite his night ending on a sour note, Olakau’atu was ecstatic his side created history by becoming the third NSW team in history to beat Queensland in a decider at Suncorp Stadium.

“I’ve never really won a big game like that,” Olakau’atu said.

“It was a good experience.

“Everyone reckons it’s the same feeling as winning a finals ring, so I definitely want to get back out there.”

After putting the rinse through the Maroons, Brian To’o was awash in Origin glory.

The NSW hero turned some heads - and possibly some noses - on the Blues’ flight back from Brisbane on Thursday when he boarded still sporting almost his entire playing kit.

Brian To’o arriving back in Sydney in his Blues kit. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Of course I had a shower,” To’o told this masthead on arrival.

“My hygiene is number one priority.”

When asked why he was still wearing his sky blue jersey from the night before, the Penrith winger explained it was simply a case of state pride.

“I’m just really happy and proud to be a Blues player,” he said.

The Blues kicked off their celebrations of a rare triumph in a Suncorp Stadium decider with a new team song written by To’o, Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu.

However To’o was adamant NSW captain Jake Trbojevic had his musical imprint all over it.

“You wouldn’t believe it, Trob (Trbojevic) came up with the song, the whole lyrics, everything,” he said.

Originally published as State of Origin 2024: NSW team bring shield back to Sydney