Paul Gallen’s five best State of Origin performances for NSW

PAUL Gallen has produced many inspirational performances for the Blues. With the skipper set to call it quits, here’s five of his very best.

NSW's Paul Gallen and NSW's Robbie Farah celebrate during Game 2 of the 2014 State of Origin series at ANZ Stadium .Picture Gregg Porteous

PAUL Gallen has produced many inspirational State of Origin performances for the Blues since his debut in 2006.

With the skipper set to step down from Origin duty after this series, here’s five of his very best performances for New South Wales.

Game II, 2011

The best game of Gallen’s career and one of the finest performance by any forward in State of Origin history.

In his first game at prop, Gallen churned out an incredible 80-minute display.

He gained 212 metres from 27 carries, made 32 tackles and captured his first man of the match award as the Blues won their first live Origin match since 2008 in an 18-8 gutter war.

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Game II, 2014

Trent Hodkinson scored the try that ended Queensland’s winning streak but the man of the match award again went to Gallen, who churned out 200 metres from 24 in a herculean 69-minute effort.

Along with Ryan Hoffman and Greg Bird, Gallen helped bring the Queensland forward pack to heel and the image of him embracing Laurie Daley at full time of the 6-4 win is one that will live in rugby league memory forever.

Game I, 2013

The Blues managed to grind out a tough 14-6 victory at ANZ Stadium and Gallen’s fearless work in the middle of the field was again a major part of the victory.

He helped subdue the Maroons pack entirely, to the point where the normally steadfast Queenslanders dropped several of their players mid-series to combat the Blues superiority in the forwards.

Rightly or wrongly, he also threw down with Nate Myles just before halftime in an exchange which resulted in punching being wiped out of the game.

Gallen’s 2011 series may have been his best.

Game III, 2007

Gallen’s first match in the Blues No. 13 jersey was also one of his best as he helped prevent a series whitewash alongside his trusty sidekick Bird.

Despite making his Origin debut the year before this was Gallen’s real coming out party at this level and he churned out 18 runs and 17 tackles in the 18-4 victory.

Game III, 2010

All but two of Gallen’s Blues appearances have come at lock or prop and he ran out at second row in this 23-18 defeat. While it sealed a whitewash for the Maroons, Gallen charged over for his only Origin try and was one of the Blues best in the defeat that also saw Bird return for New South Wales after a two-year absence.