Inside the James Tedesco miracle try that created history and won the State of Origin series
Get on the inside of James Tedesco’s famous try that won the Blues the series and earned an instant place in State of Origin folklore.
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CAMPO’S CORNER: Tedesco walks with the legends
After an era from hell, this was the try from heaven.
A famous four-pointer scored 30 seconds from fulltime to give NSW a dramatic series-winning victory over Queensland in front of 82,565 all-blue fans at ANZ Stadium.
There was Mitchell Pearce’s vision and courage to throw a long ball inside the final minute.
Tom Trbojevic’s ability to pull in the defence and unleash Blake Ferguson. The Blues winger’s speed, power and balance to stay in field.
And finally, the magic finishing of fullback James Tedesco.
It was one of the most defining moments in State of Origin’s 39-year history.
The Daily Telegraph yesterday spoke with the three key players in the try — Tedesco, Pearce and Ferguson — to reveal how the try came about — and the risks involved.
RISK IT
After four tackles, the Blues were only on their 30m line.
Back-rower Cameron Murray, who had been impressive all night, ran to the 40m line, looked right and delivered the ball to Pearce at second receiver.
“There was a minute to go and we had to take a risk,” Pearce said.
“Freddy (Coach Brad Fittler) has always encouraged us to play some footy and I had the big athletes — Turbo and Fergo — sitting out there and I just saw space.”
OVERLAP
Pearce’s ball cut out Tyson Frizell and hit Trbojevic perfectly on the chest, creating an instant overlap because Maroons winger Corey Oates had retreated, fearing an early kick.
Trbojevic attracted Oates, and sent the ball on to Ferguson to streak away down the right touch line with Corey Norman in pursuit.
“I was just running. Just running,” Ferguson recalled. “I knew I had to beat Norman”
Norman’s cover tackle threatened to take him into touch, but in the end just slowed Ferguson, who stumbled for 10m nervously close to the sideline before regaining his balance.
“I want to give credit to Fergo,” Tedesco said.
“He was awesome down the sideline and then to throw it back inside — it’s a pretty surreal feeling.”
Ferguson added: “I threw the ball in hoping for the best.”
THE INSIDE BALL
Ferguson fired the pass back inside, beyond a backtracking Moses Mbye towards Tedesco, just as Queensland fullback Cameron Munster crashed into him.
At first glance, it appeared as if Ferguson threw the ball behind Tedesco. The NSW winger saw it differently.
“Teddy was running too fast,” Ferguson said.
“I threw it dead flat but he still overran it. I couldn’t believe it.
“But you know what? It actually helped because he stopped and Mbye slipped over.”
Tedesco reached back to collect the pass as Mbye overran him and then slipped while trying to correct himself.
It opened up a path to the corner post and Tedesco didn’t need a second invitation to run.
“It sort of made the try a little bit easier for him,” Ferguson said of his pass.
“I threw the ball but there was a fair bit or work to do after that, don’t worry about that. Teddy, what a player, to finish it off.
THE FINISH
With Mbye and Munster both on the ground, Tedesco’s only concern was Maroons winger Dane Gagai, who had rushed across from the other side of the field in support.
Ferguson had been floored from the Munster hit and wasn’t in a position to back up his fullback.
“I was tired from that run,” he said.
Tedesco put on the afterburners and crashed over.
“I was just doing my best supporting,” Tedesco said.
“It was unbelievable, to score the winning try in an Origin decider.
“Queensland was coming after us in that last ten minutes. It was relief to get it done.
“To do it in front of our home fans, friends and family, it’s pretty special.”
THE CELEBRATION
“It was phenomenal to finish it in front of Blatchy’s, the Blues supporters,” Ferguson said. “They have supported us through the tough times so it was good to get a win at home in a decider because we haven’t won too many in the past. I never gave up, I just wanted to be back in this arena.”
The matchwinning try was Tedesco’s second for the match which sent the crowd into a frenzy and saw NSW coach Brad Fittler charge onto the field in pure elation despite the game having not yet officially finished.
And right in the thick of celebrations was Pearce.
“It came down to moments and, to be honest, the whole night feels surreal,” Pearce said.
To have a game like where you feel like you’re going to win with 10 minutes to go and then a moment like — I’m sure it would have been a good spectacle for the fans.”
OTHER SIDE OF THE COYNE
Tedesco’s moment evoked memories of Queensland star Mark Coyne’s “miracle” last-second try to win an Origin match at the old Sydney Football Stadium back in 1994.
“I don’t think this was a miracle but that (Coyne) try is probably one I’ve seen a hundred-plus times — I’m sure a lot of people have,” Tedesco said.
“In saying that, (NSW’s try) will be shown a fair few times as well. I’m happy it’s NSW and happy it was me getting shown.”
Tedesco ran for 222 metres including 10 tackle breaks. Despite being just 26 and having overcome two knee reconstructions, Tedesco is fast becoming one of the great fullbacks of the modern era.
“Teddy is phenomenal. I don’t know how he does it, hey,” Ferguson said. “He is so powerful but has endurance. It’s just weird how it happens because usually it’s one or the other but he is both.
“He’s a freak. I don’t know, maybe it’s his mentality. That’s why he’s vice-captain. He leads with his actions.
“You get the best out of him in every Origin game. I don’t think he has ever disappointed in an Origin jersey.”
MAKING OF A MIRACLE
Score: NSW 20 QLD 20
Time: 79 minutes 13 seconds
Tackle: Four
The cast: Boyd Cordner, Damien Cook, Cameron Murray, Mitchell Pearce, Tom Trbojevic, Blake Ferguson, James Tedesco
SCRIPT
It’s the fourth tackle, NSW are on their own 30m line with 47 seconds remaining. NSW captain Boyd Cordner plays the ball just to the left of centre field. Dummy-half Damien Cook passes right to interchange forward Cameron Murray at first receiver. He runs to the defensive line near the 40m line and throws the ball back to halfback Mitchell Pearce, who is standing 34m out from the try line and 20m in from the right touch line.
79:17 Mitchell Pearce drifts right, which brings Maroons centre Moses Mbye into play. Pearce then throws a cut-out pass beyond Tyson Frizell and into the hands of right centre Tom Trbojevic, creating an overlap as Queensland winger Corey Oates has dropped back.
79:21 Trbojevic runs 10m, causing Oates to attempt to tackle him, which allows him to offload to winger Blake Ferguson.
79:23 Ferguson pins back the ears and heads down the sideline as Queensland’s Corey Norman comes across and attempts to tackle him, but only manages to unbalance the giant winger.
79:26 Ferguson stumbles for five steps over 10m but stays on his feet and, more importantly, in the field of play. He steadies himself as Maroons fullback Cameron Munster approaches and delivers an inside ball to NSW No.1, James Tedesco, 20m out from the Queensland line.
79:27 Tedesco is forced to stop and reach back to take the Ferguson pass, 10m in from touch, 18m from the try line. Cover defender Moses Mbye isn’t as quick to react, overrunning Tedesco on the inside and slipping as he tries to change direction. With Munster Mbye and Munster on the ground, a clear run to the corner post opens up.
79:31 Tedesco outsprints Maroons winger Dane Gagai to dive over and score in the corner
Originally published as Inside the James Tedesco miracle try that created history and won the State of Origin series
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