Queensland held on for an unforgettable victory in the rain in Perth to level State of Origin 1-1 with NSW
In true underdog style Queensland weathered a storm of criticism after game one and then a stunning NSW comeback in game two to seal an Origin win for the ages.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
State of Origin is headed to a decider in Sydney after the Blues fell agonisingly short of the greatest comeback in history as Billy Slater’s Maroons bounced back from a horror few weeks to survive one of the wildest games of all time.
After they were totally outclassed in the series opener which led to skipper Daly Cherry-Evans’ sensational axing from the side, Queensland responded as they always do to win 26-24 in the driving rain in Perth.
It looked like they’d put on a cricket score as they raced out to a 20-point lead at half-time on the back of an 8-0 penalty count, but the Blues fixed their discipline and pounded the left edge where Brian To’o crossed for a hat-trick and ran for a game-high 203 metres.
The Blues finished with more tries than the Maroons, but Zac Lomax had an off night with the boot with three missed conversions and a shanked two-point field goal attempt right on half-time that proved telling.
NSW had all the momentum late but came up with two costly errors as the Maroons held on thanks to a standout performance from Cameron Munster who scored a try and led from the front in his new role as captain.
BIRTHDAY DELIGHT
It’s been a rough few days for Maroons coach Billy Slater who was forced to apologise on the morning of game two for his comments on Tuesday that referenced the late Paul Green.
But the under pressure Queensland legend put the drama behind him to inspire his side to victory, with his big moves paying off as Tom Dearden starred at halfback in place of Cherry-Evans.
His job was on the line if his side lost a fourth straight time, but he now has them one win away from a series victory after sealing a famous win on his 42nd birthday.
AN EYE ON LUAI
Jarome Luai’s return to the side in place of the injured Mitch Moses was meant to be a joyous reunion with Nathan Cleary, but the first half was a horror show from the opening minute for a man who could earn the ire of the match review committee.
Rushed into camp last Thursday night, Luai played like a guy who had never met his teammates as he produced the worst 40 minutes of his career.
He sent the first kick of the evening sailing out on the full, dropped a ball, missed a tackle that led to a Cameron Munster try and was placed on report for an alleged eye gouge on Reuben Cotter.The replays didn’t look great with his fingers appearing to make contact around the eyes, with 18th man Matt Burton ready to come in if Luai cops a suspension.
Discipline was a major issue for NSW who lost the first-half penalty count 8-0, with the first of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s two tries coming off back-to-back indiscretions.
Lomax was also placed on report for a stray elbow on Trent Loiero while in possession which led to another gift two points for Valentine Holmes.
HAMMER BLOW
Tabuai-Fidow scored Queensland’s first two tries, but it was his crucial error midway through the second half that gave the Blues hope that they could pull off the miracle comeback.
The Blues should’ve been pinned in their own in-goal but fullback Dylan Edwards did a magnificent job to stay in the field of play, with NSW only making 18 metres in the set.
Luai was forced to kick from inside his own 20, but the ugly looking strike worked a treat as the ‘Hammer’ put the ball down, with Latrell Mitchell setting up Brian To’o for his third try a few plays later.
Mitchell then produced a stunning strip to win his side possession, with Luai kicking through for Angus Crichton to set up a grandstand finish.
CLEAR ISSUE
This will be a tough one for Blues coach Laurie Daley to assess given how close they got after such a poor start.
But the one thing that will sting him the most is what would have happened if Cleary was fit enough to kick.
The champion halfback had his right leg heavily strapped and didn’t kick goals after struggling in game one, with Cleary’s trusty right boot likely to have nailed at least one of those conversions.
He tried his best to play through the pain and even had a try disallowed for obstruction, but he was clearly hampered and will need to recover ahead of the epic decider next month where the Blues must fix their discipline.
more in here
Originally published as Queensland held on for an unforgettable victory in the rain in Perth to level State of Origin 1-1 with NSW
From one Rocky great to another: Inside’s Munster’s golden run
An Olympic gold medal won two decades ago shapes as the unlikely source of inspiration for Cameron Munster and the Maroons, as fellow Rockhampton product Jamie Dwyer paved a path to glory.
Cleary’s mystery injury leaves Penrith scratching heads
Penrith officials were left dumbfounded by Nathan Cleary’s apparent leg injury which saw him relinquish goalkicking duties and contain his overall Perth performance. ORIGIN CONFIDENTIAL.