Cameron Munster stars as Maroons down Blues 22-6 to clinch State of Origin series

KEVIN Walters’ Maroons produced one of the finest fightbacks as an old dog and two young pups inspired Queensland’s epic series-clinching 22-6 defeat of NSW.

Cameron Munster takes on the Blues defence at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Adam Head

COP that NSW. A new Queensland dynasty is born.

Kevin Walters’ Maroons have produced one of the finest fightbacks as an old dog and two young pups inspired Queensland’s epic series-clinching 22-6 defeat of NSW in the Origin decider.

Before a ground-record 52,540 at Suncorp Stadium, the Maroons overcame the loss of Origin II casualties Johnathan Thurston and Darius Boyd as they found fresh heroes to break the Blues.

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Maroons players celebrate with the State of Origin shield.

Talismanic Cameron Smith produced a skipper’s knock in his 42nd Origin game, providing the inspiration for debutant Cameron Munster and hat-trick hero Valentine Holmes to torment the Blues.

Queensland’s record-breaking dynasty was on the verge of collapse after they suffered a humiliating 28-4 defeat in Origin I.

But returning to the scene of that disaster, the Maroons atoned, bolting to a 12-0 half-time lead before Holmes and Munster floored NSW with a one-two punch to seal an 11th series win in 12 years.

Amid the euphoria, Smith clinched man-of-the-match honours, Dane Gagai snared the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series ... and coach Walters savoured his second consecutive series win.

Maroons players celebrate a Valentine Holmes try against the Blues.

Paul Vautin’s ‘Neville Nobodies’ which won the 1995 series 3-0 are widely regarded as Queensland’s bravest outfit.

But Walters’ wonders are now in the same league after his blooding of eight new faces this year was emphatically vindicated by a rampant Game Three performance.

Munster was superb filling in for Thurston at five-eighth, while Holmes was electric, scoring a first-half double before his treble in the 60th minute speared the Blues.

The emotion was capped by the sight of the injured Thurston rushing out at full-time to embrace his Maroons comrades after Smith ran across field to find him.

“I’m really proud, what a great night for all Queenslanders,” Walters said.

Cameron Smith gets an offload away for the Maroons.

“We’ve had eight guys come into the squad this year. Cameron Smith’s first half of Origin, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more dominant performance from anyone.

“We were extremely disappointed with what happened in Game One ... but we fixed that up.”

Smith added: “This is special. I know we have some older guys who will finish up soon, but the younger guys will learn a lot from this series.”

Johnathon Thurston is carried from the field by Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.

In Game One, NSW had a trump card in Andrew Fifita. On Wednesday night, Queensland countered with Origin’s greatest servant — 42-game ironman Smith.

By his own admission, the Maroons skipper was ineffective in the opening two games, making just two runs for seven metres. In Origin, ruck control is everything.

Wherever you looked, Smith was Queensland’s pied piper. He had touches at first receiver. He fed the backline at second receiver. Mainly, he sliced and diced from hooker, deconstructing the Blues with the poise and precision of a neurosurgeon.

Cameron Munster was superb on debut for the Maroons. Picture: Adam Head

Smith’s sublime display crystallised the gulf between these fierce foes. The Maroons’ champions know how to win. The Blues falter under pressure.

Queensland had one hand on the trophy at half-time. But the beauty of Origin is the small, almost imperceptible, twists and turns in the narrative. Half-time saved NSW ... and after the break, they gave the Maroons an almighty fright to whittle the deficit to 12-6.

But on the hour, coach Walters’ selection gumption was borne out in his match-winners as rookies Munster and Holmes combined to deliver the coup de grace.

The Blues are entitled to question if their time will ever come. A new breed of Maroons have arrived. Walters has given the Queensland juggernaut another gear.

QUEENSLAND 22 (V Holmes 3 J Wallace tries C Smith 3 goals) bt NEW SOUTH WALES 6 (J Dugan try J Maloney goal) at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 52,540.