State of Origin 2018 game 2: Blues withstand the pressure test to claim a deserved series victory

FOR more than a decade it was Queensland’s composure that ruled the State of Origin landscape. But on Sunday night, it was the Maroons who froze and NSW’s fresh-faced side to took the opportunities that came their way.

What a dream for the young blokes in their first Origin series. (Brett Costello)

• Blues triumphant in nailbiter
• Player ratings: Who starred, who stumbled
• Buzz: Rep footy is a winner
• Ponga offers a glimpse of the future

FOR more than a decade it was Queensland’s composure and ability to seize the moment that ruled the State of Origin landscape.

If they needed a cool head Cameron Smith was the man.

Or if it wasn’t Smith it was Johnathan Thurston.

Or Cooper Cronk. Or Billy Slater.

What a dream for the young blokes in their first Origin series. (Brett Costello)

Sunday night Slater was the last man standing.

And while he did everything in his power to save his state ultimately it wasn’t enough to stop the tide that has now officially turned.

Freddy’s Baby Blues have done it. And what’s even better, they did it the hard way.

Sunday night a team that started the series with 11 debutants had every reason to freeze and buckle under the enormous pressure they faced towards a gripping end to one of the most fabulous Origins we have seen.

Billy Slater was very nearly the difference for Queenaland. (Adam Head)

But instead it was Queensland who failed to capitalise on their undeniable opportunities in the dying 10 minutes.

When the Blues were down a man following the sin binning of James Roberts, the game was there to be won for Queensland.

But time and again they came up with the wrong play.

Put simply, they played dumb.

Just like NSW had done so many times previously.

Dane Gagai was a thorn in NSW’s side. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Now Ben Hunt knows what Mitchell Pearce must have been feeling like for all those years.

It would be completely unfair to single out one man for the blame of defeat in a game that was so great.

But Hunt had a forgettable night.

And his third tackle grubber that handed the Blues a late 20m seven tackle restart was a prime example of how pressure can ruin even the most level headed men in the cauldron of Origin.

And ultimately it was NSW’s ability to stand up to the pressure that was the difference.

To a man, they worked and worked and worked when they should have had nothing left to give.

Klemmer did what he was made to do. (Brett Costello)

Until the final siren sounded.

The statistics hardly sum up the bravery of their performance.

It was simply one of the gutsiest efforts ever seen from the men in Blue - in one of the greatest Origin games you could ever dream of witnessing.

Just as you couldn’t blame the defeat on Hunt, it was hard to single out any one hero man for the victory because at times they all played a significant part.

But Nathan Cleary and James Maloney deserve special credit.

If we had lost, they would have wore the wrath.

Instead, they can now bask in the glory.

While their performances left room for improvement, even Fittler conceded that, they still came up with vital plays that proved significant.

Cleary’s desperate tackle to save a late try when Valentine Holmes looked to be away wads one of the special moments.

As was James Tedesco’s cover tackle on Kalyn Ponga for another.

Queensland absolutely dominated the first 20 minutes, taking a 10-0 lead on the back of a 60-40 per cent split of possession.

Cleary’s impact was quiet but vital. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

But by halftime the possession had been pulled back to a 53-47 per cent split, still in Queensland’s favour, although the scoreboard was 12-10 in the Blues’ favour.

And from there they gritted out their way to the final siren.

There was mistakes.

But every time the effort was there in some way, shape or form to cover.

For Queensland, they shared the workload but when it mattered no one could own the result.

To their credit, Kevvie Walters and Greg Inglis didn’t go blaming anyone, especially Hunt.

Don’t worry, the Queensland halfback will have plenty to wrestle with in his own mind.

But the Blues have been there and lived it.

Now they can move forward.

Sunday night was not the finished the product.

But it was sure one hell of a start.

LIVE stream every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free two-week Foxtel Now trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >

Originally published as State of Origin 2018 game 2: Blues withstand the pressure test to claim a deserved series victory