Why NSW loss to Queensland in decider could be the darkest night in their State of Origin history

After their game one dominance, it seemed a formality that NSW would lift the Origin shield. What transpired was Laurie Daley and the Blues being out-coached and outclassed as they contrived to lose a series that they had no right to lose.

Let’s call this for what it is – one of the blackest nights in NSW’s State of Origin history. Maybe the blackest. A night when 80,000 hearts were broken at Accor Stadium and many more were shattered across the state as the Blues contrived to lose a series they had no right to lose.

Not after they went to Suncorp Stadium in Origin I and battered Queensland into submission at The Cauldron, a graveyard for NSW teams over the years. From there, it seemed a formality. The Blues began writing their victory speech – how else do you explain the insipid performance they produced on Wednesday night?

They had the luxury of two games after Origin I to put Queensland to the sword. One was in Perth – a venue where they had previously owned Queensland.

The other was on home turf before a seething mass of blue. It was seemingly all over given that this NSW side – on paper and in the eyes of many pundits – was regarded as far superior to the Maroons.

A dark night for NSW. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Queensland were $2.95 outsiders. Not quite despised, but not very well liked. Certainly not by punters. Not for the first time, Queensland showed that Origin games aren’t won on paper — and the bookies aren’t as smart as they think they are.

There were shades of the 2020 series about the win. That side was branded the worst of all time by some but they turned up and won a decider at Suncorp Stadium.

This time they did it on NSW turf, before a packed house. Yes, NSW were terrible but you can’t take away from what Queensland and their coach Billy Slater did on Wednesday night.

After being out-coached by Michael Maguire last year, Slater did a number on Laurie Daley and his former mentor, Craig Bellamy.

Daley’s record in deciders is now a disaster. He lost three in his first stint and has now kicked off his second stint as Blues coach with another defeat in game three.

Nathan Cleary’s record isn’t much better – he has gone three deciders without a victory. The Blues coach and their talisman are a combined 0-7. Few of those losses have been as devastating as this defeat given it came before their own supporters, who arrived at Accor Stadium full of optimism but departed with their hopes in tatters.

This was a masterclass as the Maroons toyed with NSW in the first half. Some of it was just too easy. A clinic.

It was an absolute clinic by the Maroons. Picture: Izhar Khan / AFP

When Harry Grant spun over just before halftime, it told you everything you needed to know about the desire levels of these two sides.

There were NSW players everywhere. They weren’t exactly defensive slouches either. Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo are among the best players in the game.

So too Reece Robson and Liam Martin. They were no match for Grant as he fought for every inch and eventually found his way over the line.

Harry Grant scores Queensland's third

If a moment summed up the gulf in desperation between the two sides, that was it. Queensland simply wanted it more, highlighted again early in the second when young centre Rob Toia ankle-tapped a flying Angus Crichton with the line beckoning.

The Maroons were too good. Too disciplined. Too smart. Too intense. NSW were never in the hunt and they resembled a rabble at stages in the second half as their attack went awry and they compounded their mistakes by making more.

Once again, Queensland showed that Origin isn’t about the talent at your disposal but the size of your heart and your will to win.

Queensland had so much more than NSW. So much more. When Tom Dearden sliced over with five minutes remaining, any semblance of hope the Blues had was extinguished.

Truth be told, they didn’t deserve to be in the fight. Not after the performance they produced on Wednesday night.

As Dearden celebrated with his teammates, Blues supporters headed for the exit. Who could blame them?

Originally published as Why NSW loss to Queensland in decider could be the darkest night in their State of Origin history