State of Origin 2020: Underdog Queensland claims greatest series win

It's official, Queensland - the biggest underdogs in 40 years - has scored its greatest series win under the great Wayne Bennett. RE-LIVE THE ACTION HERE.

Ray Warren can put down the binoculars for his call of Origin III. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Incredible. Remarkable. Magical. 

The super coach has done it again.

Wayne Bennett has worked his finest miracle, with his unyielding faith in a motley crew of maligned Maroons underpinning the greatest series boilover of the Blues in State of Origin history.

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Before a COVID world-record crowd of 49,155 at Suncorp Stadium, Queensland tapped into the spirit of Arthur Beetson, toasting the 40th anniversary of Origin with a 20-14 upset of a shellshocked NSW in a pulsating decider.

The Blues started as raging favourites but Queensland's fusion of young and old were a potent cocktail as pivot Cameron Munster, debutant Harry Grant and tearaway Lindsay Collins fired the Maroons to the Origin shield.

The depleted Maroons surged to a stunning 20-6 lead with 15 minutes to play but they were forced to stave off a furious NSW riposte until the final seconds.

Queensland celebrates the victory at Suncorp Stadium.

When the full-time siren sounded, Bennett's Babes went berserk.

This was meant to be the series NSW couldn't lose. Injury-ravaged Queensland were derided as the worst Maroons team in 40 years.

Enter Bennett. Queensland's trump card. Even at age 70, the grandfather - and godfather - of Queensland coaching has proven to be the man that can bring the Maroons alive, even when they appear six feet under.

In 2001, Bennett famously blooded 10 rookies to inspire a fairytale series victory and almost two decades later, The Messiah's belief in a staggering 14 debutants has penned the most glorious Maroons chapter.

Watching on from the heavens, the late, great Artie would be shedding tears.

"There is a great rapport among the guys," Bennett said. "It was 40 years since we started Origin and what Artie brought, we displayed that, things like not giving up for your mate.

"I will never forget this game. I will never forget this moment. I'm elated. They just kept responding."

WILD ABOUT HARRY

On this performance, Grant will be Queensland's hooker for the next 10 years.

Straight after half-time, he sliced and diced the Blues with two busts in three minutes. Then came his dream moment. With Queensland leading 14-6 in the 63rd minute, Grant surged for the tryline and reached out to score for 20-6 lead. What a debut. Grant didn't just survive, he thrived.

"Harry was superb," Bennett said. "He did exactly what I needed him to do, give us something off the bench."

Prince Harry! Heir to Cameron Smith's throne.

MUNSTER MAGIC

Munster's high-octane class last night rammed home just how much his second-minute concussion in Origin II hurt the Maroons.

With the contest teetering at 6-all, Munster stepped up in the 37th minute with a sublime split-second grubber and regather before cross-kicking from the next play for Edrick Lee to give the hosts a 12-6 half-time lead.

Munster then drove the Maroons with his competitive fire in the second half. "He's got a lot of Allan Langer-type characteristics," Bennett said. "He is just a footballer. He plays on instinct."

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‘On behalf of the worst ever QLD team, thank you very much!’

SHAKY ALLAN

It was a wild and nervous ride for Corey Allan in his Origin debut.

The 22-year-old started on fire, helping set-up the game's opening try in the fourth minute when he chimed into the backline and fired a pinpoint bullet pass for Valentine Holmes to give the Maroons the perfect start at 6-0.

But then Allan got a chilling welcome to Origin football. He made two handling errors in 16 minutes, including a woeful ninth-minute blunder when he grassed a high kick on his tryline, gifting James Tedesco a try for 6-all.

LEE-THAL DUO

Maligned debutants Brenko and Edrick Lee were superb for the Maroons.

At the start of this year, both were flat out playing NRL, but last night, they were flawless, epitomising the courage of this Queensland team and repaying the faith of that man Bennett.

Originally published as State of Origin 2020: Underdog Queensland claims greatest series win

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