NewsBite

State of Origin 2020: Queensland wins after Lockyer's spooky prophecy

Queensland legend Darren Lockyer's nonsense, off-camera prediction came true as the Maroons produced the biggest boil over in 25 years..

Tyson OttoTyson Otto
@tottodtsport
3 min read
November 4, 2020 - 5:45PM
Queensland wins
Queensland wins

State of Origin has produced yet another miracle with Queensland springing one of the biggest ambushes ever seen in the traditional rivalry. 

The game came right down to the final play after Queensland exploded in the second half to score three tries in 15 minutes. 

Those 15 minutes are now destined to become another chapter of Queensland Origin folklore as they came from 10-0 down in the 49th minute to grab the most unlikely of victories 18-14. 

Watch State of Origin I REPLAY on Kayo - available 30mins after full time with no ad-breaks during play and Fox League Commentary. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly

It is the biggest upset State of Origin has seen since Paul Vautin famously led his team to a 3-0 sweep at astronomical odds in 1995. 

Wayne Bennett's 2020 Queensland team wasn't much different from the no-hopers of 25 years ago.  And just like Vautin's team, these Maroons will carry a 1-0 series lead into Game 2 in Sydney on Wednesday, November 11.

While the entire rugby league world gave them no chance in the series opener at Adelaide Oval - they clearly believed, even when trailing 10-0 at half time. 

Queensland legend Darren Lockyer also believed - making a ridiculous prediction at the break that Queensland would win if they scored first in the second half, despite very nearly being blasted off the park in the first half. 

Channel 9's James Bracey revealed at full time that  Lockyer predicted Queensland's comeback before the start of the second half. 

"You got off the set after first half break and you said first points in the second half wins the match.," Bracey said.

"You picked it and you knew that the momentum was there still there with your team."

Lockyer responded: "We came from the clouds. We had so many injuries from outside backs and look at Xavier Coates and Kurt Capewell.

"I just thought that first points were critical. I thought that with the Blues 10-0, I felt like they felt they should have been 20-0 up and they came out and they went through the motions and we took it off them.

"Once Queenslanders started to believe they could win, that is when they found another gear."

Queensland returned from the half time break a different side and in the space of 15 minutes they turned the 2020 series on its head. 

The Blues made it a grandstand finish with a late try to Josh Addo-Carr - but Queensland's defence held firm in the tense final two minutes. 

With the Blues looking to land a killer blow in the dying seconds, the Maroons were reduced to 12-men when Felise Kaufusi was sent to the sin bin. 

Even with everything against them, this Queensland team held firm.

For the Blues there was only regret and pain - particularly for centre pairing Jack Wighton and Clint Gutherson - with both stars playing out of their usual positions.

The weak defensive issues of the Blues centres headlined the problems that engulfed Brad Fittler's team. 

There was also a torrent of criticism directed at halves Nathan Cleary and Luke Keary after they failed to take control in the second half and also failed to create attacking opportunities. 

Their quiet performances were particularly exposed by their Maroons opposites with Cameron Munster one of the best players on the field, while Maroons halfback Daly Cherry-Evans was man of the match. 

Cherry-Evans was everywhere as Queensland rampaged ahead in the second half.

"Look at these Maroon jerseys, there is a real Origin feel about this now and NSW aren't comfortable with it," Channel 9's Phil Gould said.

"The Maroons are sticking it to them. NSW aren't comfortable playing this way. They are far more comfortable when they can stroll through their plays and structures in the attacking zone. They are not enjoying all this hard work coming out of their own end. 

"Queensland are coming for them."

Earlier, Queensland sensationally had two tries in the space of four minutes when Dane Gagai set-up a monster try for debutant Xavier Coates.

Just minutes after Maroons centre Kurt Capewell set up a try by tossing aside his NSW opposite, Gagai repeated the feat when he brushed passed Jack Wighton before drawing Blues fullback James Tedesco and passing to Coates on the wing.

Queensland had finally got on the board in the 50th minute when Capewell set-up a thrilling long-range try for AJ Brimson.

It was just one of the painful issues Blues coach Brad Fittler will have to address before Game 2. 

Updates

Blues set-up grandstand finish

NSW struck back through Josh Addo Carr in the 76th minute to set-up a nail-biting finish.

NSW desperately needed to score to stay in the contest – and they cut the margin back to 18-14 when Addo-Carr finished off a nice right edge sweeping play.

Queensland ahead after three tries in 15 minutes

State of Origin Game 1 appears to be headed for one of the biggest boilovers in the history of the state-vs-state concept after Queensland piled on 18 points in 15 minutes to leave the Blues shell shocked.

The third try came from Cameron Munster after he picked the pocket of a NSW player, kicking a loose ball off the ground before darting up the field to score in the corner.

The try left the Blues on the ropes with just 14mins left in the second half.

Blues rocked by injuries

NSW captain Boyd Cordner returned to the field late in the first half after being forced from the field with a head injury.

Two injuries left the Blues feeling nervous at half time, despite leading 10-0 after the first 40 minutes.

It came after Blues forward Cam Murray was also forced from the field with an ugly leg injury.

Murray's leg buckled underneath him in a tackle. He tried to run it out, but was forced off just a minute later.

Andrew Johns described the video of his injury as "yuck".

"He can hardly walk," Johns said.

"It happened in his first run. He got twisted up. And tried to run it off. See how tough he is – his knee kept collapsing on him. See he gets caught in behind the tackle here. Yuck."

Replays showed Murray's knee twisted under the strain before the Blues confirmed he was taken out of the game with a knee injury.

However, NSW corrected its earlier statement at half time, announcing Murray had suffered a hamstring injury, but would not be able to return to the field.

Cordner, meanwhile, passed his concussion test and returned to the NSW bench, despite his scary history of concussions this year which forced him to miss long stretches of the NRL season.

Queensland in front after four mad minutes

Queensland sensationally had two tries in the space of four minutes when Dane Gagai set-up a monster try for debutant Xavier Coates.

Just minutes after Maroons centre Kurt Capewell set up a try by tossing aside his NSW opposite, Gagi repeated the feat when he brushed passed Jack Wighton before drawing Blues fullback James Tedesco and passing to Coates on the wing.

Maroons hit back with 50m try

Queensland finally got on the board in the 50th minute when Kurt Capewell set-up a thrilling long-range try for AJ Brimson.

The Blues' lead was back to 10-6 with 30mins to play after Capewell tossed aside Clint Gutherson and burst downfield before kicking perfectly for Brimson.

Capewell's kick looked ugly, but landed perfectly into the lap for Brimson to snatch it on the bounce.

Nine roasted for 'disrespectful' snub

There was drama before kick-off at Adelaide Oval with Channel 9 being slammed by fans and footy commentators for cutting away from the Welcome to Country and speaking over the top of the traditional presentation. 

Former AFL star Tony Armstrong led the outcry after local elder Karl Telfer, a Kaurna man from the Adelaide Plains region, welcomed the State of Origin to the local area. 

However, as he finished his welcome and a traditional dance began to be performed while Telfer played a didgeridoo, Channel 9 host James Bracey began speaking over the top of the music and eventually cut away from the dance to an interview between Karl Stefanovic and Andrew Johns. 

"The locals are certainly loving it here at the Adelaide Oval," Bracey said over the top of the Welcome to Country.

"The atmosphere certainly is building and we are moments away from kick-off. Karl, you’re with Joey."

It comes after the NRL also backflipped on its national anthem ban after several players last year refused to sing.

Armstrong couldn't believe it when the Welcome to Country was snubbed. 

"Channel 9 just started commentating over the Welcome to Country. Cool cool cool," Armstrong wrote on Twitter. 

"You won’t believe it. We made it to the end of the anthem."

Fox Sports' Adam Peacock also wrote: "Welcome to Country should be before Anthem with both teams out there".

Triple J reporter Avani Dias posted: "I clocked about 20 seconds of the Welcome to Country before they cut to the commentators. Interesting decision considering the anthem debacle". 

Fans on Twitter also described Nine's decision as "disrespectful", "rude", "unbelievable" and "a total lack of respect".

Blues rocked by injuries, lead 10-0 at half time

NSW captain Boyd Cordner returned to the field late in the first half after being forced from the field with a head injury.

Two injuries left the Blues feeling nervous at half time, despite leading 10-0 after the first 40 minutes.

It came after Blues forward Cam Murray was also forced from the field with an ugly leg injury.

Murray's leg buckled underneath him in a tackle. He tried to run it out, but was forced off just a minute later.

Andrew Johns described the video of his injury as "yuck".

"He can hardly walk," Johns said.

"It happened in his first run. He got twisted up. And tried to run it off. See how tough he is – his knee kept collapsing on him. See he gets caught in behind the tackle here. Yuck."

Replays showed Murray's knee twisted under the strain before the Blues confirmed he was taken out of the game with a knee injury.

Cordner, meanwhile, passed his concussion test and returned to the NSW bench, despite his scary history of concussions this year which forced him to miss long stretches of the NRL season.

Blues pile on early points

NSW made it 10-0 in the 22nd minute when Nathan Cleary and James Tedesco helped set-up a try for Josh Addo-Carr.

Cleary caught the Maroons' defence second-guessing itself when he went to the line and passed out the backl near the try line.

His pass created an overlap when Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Kurt Capewell failed to read the play.

NSW score first through Damien Cook

NSW had first points on the board through Damien Cook to give the Blues a 6-0 lead in the 16th minute.

Cook regathered his own grubber kick which rebounded off a defender before spinning out of two tackles and crossing the line.

Cherry-Evans bombs early

Daly Cherry-Evans missed from point-blank range when taking a penalty goal kick from 20m out right in front.

Cherry-Evans had the chance to score the first points in the ninth minute, but his kick dug into the turf and popped up wide of the posts, barely travelling 20m.

The embarrassing moment left Queensland regretting its decision not to select a recognised goal-kicker almost immediately.

Read related topics:AdelaideBrisbaneNRL Live Scores

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/state-of-origin-2020-live-nsw-vs-queensland-at-adelaide-oval/live-coverage/8260e4411a3d8e1bfeecfdf92335c4e9