Mitchell rises to the occasion as NSW reclaim Origin crown

In game one it was the untouchable Tom Trbojevic. Now his centre partner Latrell Mitchell has produced one of the great Origin halves to ensure the shield will return to NSW after the Blues romped to a 26-0 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

NSW defied a lop-sided 6-2 penalty count to not only win in Brisbane for the first time since 2017 but keep a clean sheet against a Maroons side who have managed to score just once in two games. It’s the first time they failed to score since game two in 1994, while the cumulative score heading into game three is a whopping 76-6.

This wasn’t a complete embarrassment like game one and for portions of the match, the Maroons were competitive and spirited. But they simply can’t match the pace, sharpness and class of the Blues back line, who have so many weapons that Queensland barely knew where to look. They took a mile from every inch.

Mitchell was the foundation of it all. He came up with a series of massive plays in the first half to set up the victory, including a key defensive play to earn a repeat set and a pilfer on Kyle Feldt to set up the first try of the night.

Then he capped it off by pouncing on a Valentine Holmes pass to run 90m and score under the posts. It was the sliding doors moment of the evening and from that point the game and the series was all over bar the shouting.

James Tedesco was magnificent for the Blues again and had a hand in everything, jumping out of tackles like he had an electric current pulsing through his body and chiming into the sparkling backline with precision. Queensland simply could not contain him at any point.

NSW celebrate their series-clinching win in Brisbane as a dejected Felise Kaufusi wonders what might have been.Credit: Getty

As for the Maroons, the lack of fluency in attack is of massive concern, while Paul Green could be a one-series coach given the results thus far. They have precious little depth in key positions but there is little excuse for such clumsy exchanges between experienced players like Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster.

They looked far better with Ben Hunt on the field in a playmaking role and that may be a permanent change as they attempt to salvage something, anything, from a trainwreck of a series for those north of the border.

Queensland tried to impose themselves early through some heavy defence and found themselves in the contest after 15 minutes. How long could they maintain the intensity? Mitchell had the answer.

He produced the one-on-one strip against Feldt and before Queensland could react, Josh Addo-Carr was over in the opposite corner. And even when NSW made a rare error - Tedesco making a mess of things as he fielded a kick - Mitchell had the final say on the scoreboard.

The aggregate scoreline for Origin 2021 reads NSW 76 Queensland 6 after two matches.Credit: Getty

With Queensland trying to get something out of a rare attacking opportunity, Mitchell surged out of the line as Holmes put the ball on his chest. He galloped away to thump it down under the posts and the Blues were off to the races.

Queensland needed to either hold on until half-time or score next. It didn’t happen. Addo-Carr left them in his dust down his right wing to find Tom Trbojevic on his inside, sending it to the break with NSW in complete control at 18-0.

The Maroons tried to make something happen at the start of the second half and did manage to slow the procession for a few exchanges. But regular transmission resumed as NSW looked to have scored through Trbojevic, only to be denied for an offside play back up the field, while Cherry-Evans was lucky not to see the sin-bin after colliding with Tariq Sims as he chased a Cleary kick.

Was Cleary taking pity on the Maroons? He added two points for fun instead of attacking, while the Blues’ big names were delivering at the other end. Xavier Coates and Dane Gagai went close for Queensland but neither could ground the ball.

Never had the Maroons been held to nil in front of their home crowd and they were dejected at full-time. NSW now head to a venue unknown with a sweep in mind. Perhaps the seeds of a dynasty of their own have been planted.

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