State of Origin 2020: NSW Blues’ brutal act of vengeance on Maroons

Blues halfback Nathan Cleary was criticised by Andrew Johns during the week and responded with a Johns-like performance.

Josh Addo-Carr scored a double for the Blues against Queensland Picture: Getty Images

Nathan Cleary answered the critics at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night. He silenced the doubters. He did it by leading NSW to a win that kept alive the State of Origin series and ensured the fight for the coveted shield would head to Suncorp Stadium.

Maligned for failing to record a try assist or line break in his previous six Origin games, Cleary was in seventh heaven as he orchestrated a first-half attacking blitz that gave NSW an upper hand they would not relinquish.

The Blues produced their fourth biggest Origin victory in history — a 24-point win which had Cleary’s fingerprints all over it.

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“He was good. He made an error early …. and he was faultless for the remainder of the game,” NSW coach Brad Fittler said after the game. “He has a really good character. He is a tough kid. He just handled it. It is great for the future of Penrith and the Blues.”

Cleary had his first Origin line break in the 17th minute. By the 23rd minute, he had two try assists. He pinned Queensland on their tryline with a precise kicking game. He owned the result, teammates rushing to pat him on the back.

NSW’s Nathan Cleary breaks through during Game 2 of the State of Origin series between the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium. Picture. Phil Hillyard

There was even a 40-20 inside the final five minutes. Blues legend Andrew Johns had called for his head in the lead-up and Cleary’s response was to produce a Johns-like performance.

Asked about the criticism during the week, Cleary said: “We blocked that out pretty well this week. That is the pleasure of being away in camp, surrounded by a great bunch of blokes and a great coaching staff. We just had to focus on ourselves and it is no different this week. We haven’t done anything yet. We still have a game to win up in Queensland. That is our focus this week.”

Queensland’s cause wasn’t helped when they lost talismanic five-eighth Cameron Munster in the third minute after he suffered a head knock and failed an assessment. Even if he had been available, it may not have been enough given the way the Blues played in the opening 40 minutes. They made only one error. It was near-flawless football.

“They out-enthused us,” Queensland coach Wayne Bennett said. “Football is football. Just have to get on with it. It was all down to attitude. They all know they can play better than they did tonight.”

Cleary was the conductor but he wasn’t alone. Fullback James Tedesco, making his debut as captain in place of the absent Boyd Cordner, proved a handful. You knew what was coming, but Queensland had no way to stop him.

Cody Walker’s return to Origin in place of Luke Keary brought with it the Blues’ opening try and a response to those who questioned whether he was an Origin player.

Queensland had no answer as they were blown away. This was the result many had predicted heading into Origin I and seven-time premiership winner Bennett must now find a way to lift his side out of the doldrums.

The good news is they will return to a ground where they have won 11 of their past 13 Origin games. Suncorp Stadium has been a wasteland for NSW. The Graveyard has lived up to its billing.

Queensland will also have their fingers crossed that Munster is fit and available, particularly because of the defensive performance of the man who replaced him in the line-up – Ben Hunt. Hunt was exploited to devastating effect.

The night had started so well for Queensland. Despite Munster’s departure, they opened the scoring in only the eighth minute thanks to a spectacular effort by teenage winger Xavier Coates.

Daly Cherry-Evans and Dane Gagai created a sliver of space and Coates went airborne as he grounded the ball with his entire body off the ground.

The Maroons were on the back foot early in the opening game in Adelaide a week ago. On this occasion, they would take the early ascendancy. It didn’t last long as two NSW players with a point to prove orchestrated the fightback. Cleary broke his statistical drought in the 17th minute as he split the Queensland defence. On the back of that run, Walker went to work.

Recalled at the expense of Luke Keary, Walker threw a dummy and rolled over the tryline.

The momentum had dramatically shifted. Cleary wasn’t done with yet. He pinned Queensland on their tryline with a kick that resulted in Phillip Sami being caught in-goal. He then threw the pass to Tedesco and the Blues stand-in skipper stepped inside Hunt to score.

The Blues grabbed an 18-4 halftime lead and Queensland needed a fast start to the second half but they were immediately on the back foot as another player criticised for his performance in Origin I — Jack Wighton — got the better of Dane Gagai. Then Daniel Tupou scored off a Tedesco pass.

The onslaught was only interrupted when Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Payne Haas decided to revive a schoolboy rivalry. The fight fizzled out as did Queensland’s night.