Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden pilot Queensland to miracle State of Origin series win
The State of Origin shield is on its way back to Queensland after Billy Slater’s Maroons — inspired by Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden — embarrassed NSW 24-12 in a stunning series decider.
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Tenacious Tom Dearden and courageous Cameron Munster inspired Queensland to a 45-year Origin first as the Maroons produced a miracle Blues bashing to clinch a famous series victory.
The State of Origin shield is on its way back to Queensland after Billy Slater’s Maroons embarrassed NSW 24-12 in a stunning series decider in Sydney on Wednesday night.
The 80,256 sea of blue at Accor Stadium was silenced as the Maroons rewrote the Origin history books in emphatic fashion with their first decider win in NSW since 2013.
Since State of Origin’s launch in 1980, Queensland has never clinched a series win with back-to-back victories on the road after losing Game One on home soil.
Until now.
On the 30th anniversary of Queensland’s 1995 miracle, Slater’s class of 2025 now own a piece of Origin folklore.
This was Queensland spirit at its best and the Maroons halves led the way.
“When we talk about getting our game on and finding our best footy, it’s pretty similar to what that first half looked like,” Slater said.
“The effort, togetherness, that’s where it all starts. It was an inspiring performance.
“I’m so proud of this group. I’ve been proud a number of times and I don’t know if I’ve been any more proud than tonight.
“There’s been a lot of hurdles to overcome. It’s an incredible feeling and I’m sure five-and-a-half million people (Queenslanders) are feeling the same.
“I don’t like ranking things but I’ve never felt like this.”
TOMMY GUN FIRES
Slater made one of the biggest selection calls ever seen when he axed Daly Cherry-Evans after Queensland’s Game One loss.
He threw Dearden into the No. 7 jersey and the ‘Tommy Gun’ vindicated the decision with two match-winning performances.
Dearden was great in Perth to level the series and terrorised the Blues again with his direct runs, booming boot and slick passing.
Dearden never stops and he was on the spot to score Queensland’s second try before producing a piece of solo magic to bag a double.
His try-saving tackle on Brian To’o epitomised the Queensland spirit and the Maroons halfback job is his for years to come.
Bravo, Tom. This is your time.
MUNSTER’S MOMENT
Munster overcame the tragic death of his father Steven on the weekend to etch his name into Origin folklore with one of the great captain’s knocks.
In just his second game as skipper, Munster is now a series-winning captain – and he did it in the most remarkable circumstances.
Munster was man-of-the-match in his captaincy debut in Perth to help keep the series alive after being thrust into Queensland’s top job following the axing of Cherry-Evans.
His decider preparation was then rocked by the sudden death of his father which saw Munster make a mercy dash to Central Queensland on Sunday to be with his devastated family.
Despite the tragedy, Munster vowed to lead Queensland on to enemy turf and his courage inspired the Maroons to one of the great Origin series wins.
The Maroons have now won eight of the past 10 deciders and their captain played a pivotal role in that.
FLAWLESS FOOTY
After producing a terribly ill-disciplined effort in the Brisbane series-opener, the Maroons were near flawless in what was close to the perfect first half of Origin footy.
Queensland went into the sheds with a 20-0 lead on the back of a 100 per cent completion rate (21 from 21 sets) which helped them dominate nearly every statistical category.
Mullet-haired props Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Josh Papalii, along with improving lock Trent Loiero, produced punchy opening stints to allow Munster and Dearden to control the show.
Debutant Gehamat Shibasaki helped Xavier Coates cross for the opening try before Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow created something out of nothing for Dearden to go under between the posts.
Harry Grant exposed some lazy NSW defence from close range in the 39th minute to seal a dream start for the Maroons.
From there Queensland just had to hang on and the Blues surged midway through the second half.
But nothing was going to stop the Maroons from winning this game.
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