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State of Origin 2021 game two: NSW Blues clinch series with dominant victory

NSW have held Queensland to nil for the first time ever in Brisbane, winning back the Origin shield in style at Suncorp Stadium.

Will Swanton and Adrian McMurray
18 min read
4:00PMJune 27, 2021.
Updated 6:34AMJune 28, 2021
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NSW have won the 2021 State of Origin series following victory at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Getty Images
NSW have won the 2021 State of Origin series following victory at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

NSW have held Queensland to nil for the first time ever in Brisbane, winning back the Origin shield in style with a 2-0 series victory following their 26-0 win at Suncorp Stadium in game two. Read how it all unfolded below.

Will Swanton10.30pm:Blues put Maroons out of their Origin misery

Gut-wrenching. Heartbreaking. Embarrassing. Shambolic. Sad.

Those were the words of woe floating around the Queensland State of Origin side on Sunday – before game two of the series at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium had even begun.

Expressions of exasperation, descriptions of despondency, accounts of anguish – they all related to the amateur-hour treatment of banned Maroons player Ronaldo Mulitalo by the National Rugby League. But the miserable tone suited the match itself for the ­Maroons after NSW ran amok to win 26-0. The Blues did more than claim the series 2-0. They put the Maroons out of their misery.

It’d take a heck of a game to top the Mulitalo saga for drama. We’ll get to him in a sec. First, the match. The Blues were coming off a 50-6 win in Origin I. More of the same was expected, and delivered.

The Maroons had no shortage of support. The crowd hollered the traditional Queenslander! Queenslander! But the Blues struck first with a 12th minute try to Josh Addo-Carr. The Maroons hung tough for a while and threatened to level at 6-all … only for Mitchell to conjure a 90m intercept try that turned the game on its head.

“A wow of a game,” was NSW coach Brad Fittler’s assessment of Mitchell, who ran powerfully enough to get a start in the Melbourne Cup. He defended as if his life depended on it. He hurled Dane Gagai over the sideline like the Queensland centre was a rag doll.

Blues superstar Tom Trbojevic did what he always does, scoring without a hand laid on him. He saved a try by slapping the ball from the hand of Xavier Coates with centimetres to spare. A ­moment of magic.

The Blues led 18-0 at halftime as the Maroons’ heads bowed. Gut-wrenching. Heartbreaking. Embarrassing to have a series score of 76-6. A shambolic inability to score a point in Brisbane. That’d never happened before. Sad.

Mulitalo had been rushed into the Queensland team as a replacement for the injured Reece Walsh. It was the biggest moment of Mulitalo’s life. A dream come true for the 21-year-old and his family.

But after a perfectly reasonable inquiry from NSW, the governing body realised Mulitalo probably wasn’t eligible to play for Queensland after all. He lived in Queensland from the age of 14, but you have to be bending bananas from before your 13th birthday.

No one had thought to check any of this when Mulitalo played in the Queensland under-16, under-18 and under-20 representative teams, all the while hoping to become a real Origin player.

On the day it should have happened, he suffered the humiliation of handing back his jumper. It was more than an administrative bungle by the NRL. It was a complete farce. “Heartbroken and lost for words,” Mulitalo said.

Adrian McMurray9.44pm:NSW win game two, series

There’s a late chance for Holmes with 90 seconds to go, but he can’t claim it. NSW win 26-0, and have taken the series! The shield is heading back south. This is the first time NSW have held Queensland to nil in Brisbane. The scoreline after two games? 76-6 the way of the Blues. Wow.

NSW players celebrate victory at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Getty Images
NSW players celebrate victory at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

What a performance: strike all over the field, Queensland just didn’t have an answer to what NSW threw at them. James Tedesco was immense, Mitchell too. The forwards did their job. This could well be the start of an era of dominance for NSW. But where do Queensland go from here? Paul Green’s position might not be so safe, and some big changes are coming you would imagine. It’s been a pretty rough week in Sydney and the rest of NSW, so this should make a lot of people very happy. Thanks for joining us for game two – there will be more Origin coverage online and in the app tonight, as well as in tomorrow’s print edition.

Adrian McMurray9.37pm:Desperation in defence for NSW

Queensland are throwing up some nice attacking shapes here. The NSW defence is up to the task, scrambling on their right before To’o pulls off a brilliant save on Feldt, who raced through onto a DCE grubber. To’o managed to knock it free, and the Blues are up and about. NSW lead 26-0 with 7 minutes to go.

Adrian McMurray9.33pm:Addo-Carr seals the deal for NSW

Addo-Carr scores! From a quick play the ball Tedesco darts down the short side and flicks it to the winger who crosses it and seals the result for NSW. There’s no coming back for Queensland from here. Cleary converts, NSW lead 26-0 with 9 minutes to go.

Adrian McMurray9.27pm:Chances for Queensland

Try for Queensland … or is it? It’s sent to the bunker, Gagai ruled to have touched the dead ball line with his elbow while batting the ball back. Gagai and Feldt do a number on Mitchell in defence, taking him into touch. And they rough up the NSW centre afterwards, Mitchell getting a hand rubbed in his face. Soon after To’o drops a bomb, Queensland scrum 12m out. McCullough dives over but is held up before a kick goes in for Coates … he does his best to save it from going dead but the play wasn’t really on. NSW still lead 20-0 with 13 minutes remaining.

Adrian McMurray9.19pm:Queensland need points

McCullough is back in the action but Hunt’s staying out there, playing Queensland’s roving ‘14’ role around the middle. Yeo is penalised for holding back and could have easily been sent to the bin, but Sutton resists. Queensland on the attack though, Munster forcing a drop out. Great defence from NSW, Queensland are knocking on the door here though. NSW 20-0 after 61 minutes.

Adrian McMurray9.12pm:Trbojevic’s epic try save

Queensland get a penalty deep in the NSW half with Mitchell pinged for an escort. Munster fires a looping pass out to Coates’ wing, and he dives over … but Trbojevic hits at his arm and saves the try! What a play. As good as a try at the other end, as it were. The Blues still lead 20-0 after 56 minutes. Trbojevic appears to be fine, but Cleary is clutching at a shoulder occasionally. We’ll keep an eye on that one.

Adrian McMurray9.06pm:Trbojevic hurt as NSW add two

We’re underway in the second half. Some strong defence from Queensland, Fledt and Gagai rolling To’o. NSW spread it left and Addo-Carr burns Capewell, races away and Trbojevic is in! Wait, referee Gerard Sutton calls it back, Murray was offside – he was in front of the play the ball and got involved in the play. Queensland penalty, and the ensuing set ends with Feldt spilling the ball as he leapt over To’o. NSW go on the attack, some incredible runs … Trbojevic looks hurt, he’s hobbling in back play. Sims is taken out off the ball by DCE as he chases a Cleary grubber near the tryline. Penalty NSW, no sin bin and Cleary adds another two. NSW lead 20-0 after 50 minutes.

Brent Read8.46pm:Queensland need a second-half miracle

Queensland needs a second half miracle to keep the State of Origin series alive. The Maroons started strongly at Suncorp Stadium but they were on the rocks at halftime as NSW raced in three tries to take an 18-0 ascendancy into the break.

Only one player in the NSW side – captain James Tedesco – had ever won an Origin game at Suncorp Stadium but his teammates were intent on changing that as they dominated the opening 40 minutes.

Latrell Mitchell and Brian To’o celebrate. Picture: Getty Images
Latrell Mitchell and Brian To’o celebrate. Picture: Getty Images

The Blues, who won the opening game of the series 50-6 in Townsville largely thanks to the brilliance of Tom Trbojevic, had their other centre Latrell Mitchell to thank for their dominant first half in Origin II.

The Maroons came into the game after another horror preparation and it showed in their opening half. They lost Kalyn Ponga before the team was picked, his replacement Reece Walsh the day before the game and then Ronaldo Mulitalo on the morning of the match after an eligibility furore.

Mulitalo and Walsh walked out of the tunnel before their teammates dressed in suits on Wednesday night. The rest of the Maroons followed.

They had home ground advantage in their favour – not that it helped them in Townsville, where they were on the receiving end of a beat-down.

Suncorp Stadium was a different beast though. At least, it was supposed to be. Tedesco was the early danger for NSW, showing the ball and testing the Queensland defence.

Then Nathan Cleary, a man who has enjoyed precious-little good fortune at Suncorp Stadium in Origin, found a hole in the Queensland defence but wasted his opportunity.

Warning shots were being fired by the Blues and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring in the 13th minute.

NSW are on top at halftime. Picture: Getty Images
NSW are on top at halftime. Picture: Getty Images

Kyle Feldt was at fault for turning the ball over, allowing Mitchell to strip it in a one-on-one tackle.

Moments later, Tedesco threw the cut out pass and Josh Addo-Carr strolled over unopposed. Cleary’s conversion gave NSW a 6-0 lead.

NSW were in the ascendancy and it took a try-saving tackle from Valentine Holmes to prevent Bria To’o adding to the Blues’ advantage.

Mitchell came up with the big play for the first try and he was the architect of NSW’s second, doing it all himself.

Queensland were on the attack when Mitchell swooped on a Holmes pass, juggling the ball, reeling it in and racing 80 metres to double the Blues advantage.

Mitchell was fast becoming the story of Origin II as the Blues raced to a 12-0 lead. They had one hand on the Origin shield and they could have strengthened their grip not long after when Trbojevic split the Maroons and found Cameron Murray in support.

Murray fumbled the ball with the line in sight and the opportunity was lost. They didn’t fritter away their next chance and it was that man Trbojevic who made it happen as he put Addo-Carr in space and then backed up on the inside to race over untouched.

The Maroons were on the ropes, NSW taking an 18-0 lead at the break.

Adrian McMurray8.40pm:NSW lead 18-0 at halftime

There’s a bit of feeling out there – Fledt seems to be at the centre of some push and shove. Yeo is penalised for a strip, Queensland go on the attack but the momentum’s paused as Holmes goes down injured. The 117kg Haas fell and sat on his leg in the tackle – that would NOT be pleasant. Queensland search for something through Gagai on their right, but Mitchell rounds up his Rabbitohs teammate and takes him into touch. Jeez, this has been some half from Latrell. NSW march it up field and that takes us to halftime, NSW holding an 18-0 lead.

Queensland great Chris ‘Choppy’ Close has passed his verdict on the first half.

Adrian McMurray8.31pm:Trbojevic gets another Origin try

A try goes begging for NSW, as Trbojevic makes a break and passes inside to Murray who drops it. But they don’t have to wait long to find joy down the right side, as Trbojevic links up with Addo-Carr, who finds his centre back on the inside, the Manly star crossing for yet another Origin try! No issues with the conversion for Cleary, and it’s 18-0 the way of the Blues after 35 minutes.

Adrian McMurray8.24pm:Latrell intercept improves NSW’s lead

Tedesco knocks on while attempting to collect a fairly routine kick, giving Queensland the ball in a great attacking position. And don’t the crowd love it! They get six more tackles, let’s see if the NSW defence holds up. The NSW left side defence push up together, and as Holmes pushes for a cut-out pass, Latrell sticks a hand out an intercepts! He races away, Coates almost catches him flying in from the other wing but Mitchell was already home. Cleary converts from next to the posts, and NSW improve their lead: 12-0 after 28 minutes.

Adrian McMurray8.18pm:Teddy ups his involvement

Tedesco has been much more involved in this game, he’s already run for 76m in the first 18 minutes – he had 212m in game one. Mitchell has been good in attack and defence, while Trbojevic has been largely quiet so far, but we don’t think that’ll be the case for the entire game.

The Blues run it on the last and almost find joy on the To’o wing, but some good scramble defence shut it down. Their attack looks pretty sharp though, while Billy Slater in commentary with Nine says Queensland’s looks disjointed.

Cherry-Evans looks for a 40/20 but it rolls out just short of the 20m line. NSW still lead 6-0 after 23 minutes.

Adrian McMurray8.08pm:NSW score first through Addo-Carr

NSW fire another warning shot down their right side this time, Cleary skipping past Fa’asuamaleaui and breaking the line, but he can’t link up with Tedesco in support. A few sets later Mitchell strips the ball off Feldt to give his side the ball in good field position. NSW shift it right to Addo-Carr and he dives over untouched in the corner! Cleary adds the extras, NSW lead 6-0 after 14 minutes.

Adrian McMurray8.02pm:Queensland make a solid start

NSW get the first ‘six again’ call of the game with Munster pinged for offside. The Blues work it to their left side with Tedesco making good metres, likewise Mitchell before Gagai forces an error from his Souths teammate. The next set Fa’asuamaleaui looks for an offload by Trbojevic forces an error, NSW back on the attack 7 minutes in. Queensland haven’t looked bad so far, remember they lost Welch early in game one and have Papalii back for this one. They’ll make a big difference, Welch’s offloads will help.

Adrian McMurray7.53pm:Underway in game two

NSW run out onto the ground, and Queensland keep them waiting for a bit. Huge roar for the home side as they run out. Steve Renouf does the ‘Welcome to Country’ honours, with the anthem that follows, and we’re underway! NSW with first use of the ball.

Adrian McMurray7.44pm:Gus’ pre-match rev-up prerecord

Gus Gould’s pre-match rev-up returns, but this time it’s a prerecord. We’re guessing the border restrictions might have something to do with that.

This time around he covers Queenslanders ‘doing their best’, and in order to achieve the impossible they need to start focusing on what’s possible. Fair point.

Don’t think that was as good as the live piece to camera in game one, but it will give Queensland fans a bit of hope.

Not long to go now until kick-off.

Adrian McMurray7.20pm:Backlash over Origin’s Covid measures

There’s been some backlash over the Covid measures introduced earlier today.

Just after 5pm, Queensland Health and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk outlined the rules, with masks to be worn upon entering the stadium and exiting. However, they don’t need to be worn while seated.

Some on social media have raised a few issues with this move.

The pandemic situation has changed rapidly around the nation today, but was this a good set of measures to introduce? Should Queensland authorities have gone further?

Adrian McMurray7.10pm:NSW Premier ups her social media game

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has had a busy week, but she’s upped her pre-match picture game.

That photo would have been taken earlier in the week before NSW went into camp.

Of course, it’s a bit different to this now iconic effort from earlier this month …

Adrian McMurray6.50pm:Final teams named

The final teams have landed, and there are no major surprises. As we knew, Holmes pushes to fullback for Reece Walsh, with Xavier Coates back on the wing after Mulitalo was a late scratching today. Jai Arrow is good to go despite battling an infection, with Andrew McCullough, Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii in and Francis Molo to debut from the bench. Coen Hess is the 18th man.

For NSW, just the one change from game one: Angus Crichton joins the bench with Jake Trbojevic out injured. Junior Paulo starts in the front row, Api Koroisau the 18th man.

Queensland Maroons: 2. Valentine Holmes 5. Kyle Feldt 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Dane Gagai 20. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c) 8. Christian Welch 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh Papalii 11. Jai Arrow 12. Felise Kaufusi 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. Interchange: 14. Ben Hunt 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. David Fifita 17. Francis Molo. 18th Man: 18. Coen Hess

NSW Blues: 1. James Tedesco (c) 2. Brian To’o 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Damien Cook 10. Junior Paulo 11. Cameron Murray 12. Tariq Sims 13. Isaah Yeo. Interchange: 14. Jack Wighton 15. Angus Crichton 16. Payne Haas 17. Liam Martin. 18th Man: 18. Api Koroisau

Adrian McMurray6.38pm:An Origin history reminder

We’ll have the final teams at around 6.50pm AEST.

Adrian McMurray5.57pm:Your say on Mulitalo’s eligibility

The comments have been lively, here’s what some of our subscribers had to say on the Mulitalo situation.

Jules says: “How can a professional sporting organisation get this so wrong? If he was known to be born overseas, surely the first thing someone would do, would check whether he met eligibility rules! They aren’t picking a pub team.”

G adds: “When did rules ever stop RL doing whatever. So called “contracts “ are a joke. Players walk away all the time. Just wait they will find a loophole. One reason why many people don’t take RL seriously anymore.”

Remember, if you want to join in the comments section and access every article on The Australian’s website and app, a digital version of the print edition plus mind games and more, subscribe here.

Adrian McMurray5.22pm:Covid measures in place at Suncorp Stadium

Are you heading along to the game at Suncorp Stadium? There are a number of Covid measures in place, including masks and the need to check-in. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has outlined it all below.

For the players and officials, it’s a return to the level three protocols, which means ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ zones and limited interaction with the public.

Adrian McMurray5.14pm:NSW’s chance to seal series

Let’s talk tonight’s game. After NSW’s 50-6 drubbing in Townsville, the Blues can win back the shield tonight with victory in Brisbane. Who knows where game three, currently down for Stadium Australia on July 14, will be played. So to remove any future uncertainty the Blues need to get the job done tonight.

Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Images
Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Images

With a largely settled preparation, all signs point towards a big NSW victory. The only change to the 17 from game one was forced with Jake Trbojevic (hip) replaced by Angus Crichton. Queensland, meanwhile, have lost fullback Reece Walsh (hamstring) during the week. Ronaldo Mulitalo was brought in on the wing, but has been deemed ineligible, with Xavier Coates back in after being dumped when the game two squad was chosen.

Who’s going to stop Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Nathan Cleary? It would be incredible to think that Queensland could somehow turn this around and keep the series alive, but stranger things have happened …

Adrian McMurray4.40pm:Covid, eligibility in drama-filled build up

Welcome to Origin game day! It’s been a crazy week around Australia, as a new Covid outbreak sparked lockdowns and forced millions into isolation. For more on that, you can head to our dedicated Covid-19 blog. Tonight’s game will hopefully be a welcome distraction for us all, and the lead-in to game two certainly hasn’t lacked drama.

The aforementioned outbreak has wreaked havoc on players and officials, with Sydney-based administrators forced to head home from Queensland before the game as the border rules changed. We can only imagine the work that had to be done behind the scenes to allow this game to go ahead.

Pandemic aside, we’ve had perhaps the ultimate eligibility drama: Ronaldo Mulitalo, a late call-up to the Queensland side on debut, ruled out on game day after a tweet sparked a probe into his status as a Queensland player.

As Phil Rothfield outlines here, it was a former Qantas worker based in Sharks territory who floated questions over Mulitalo’s eligibility on Twitter.

Our own Brent Read went to NSWRL chief David Trodden with the claim, who then took the matter to the NRL. Mulitalo was then removed from the side this morning, with Xavier Coates earning a recall in bizarre circumstances.

The QRL said it will challenge the ruling and fight for his eligibility in the coming days.

The ex-Qantas worker who sparked the Mulitalo probe said he does feel for the Sharks winger, but said it shouldn’t have come down to a fan to notice the issue.

“This should have been picked up before he was chosen,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“I can’t believe the QRL, the NRL and the NZRL weren’t aware of the rules.

“The rules are there to protect international football. Queensland have been doing this for years. I don’t want Origin to be a farce.”

It’s a cruel blow for a young player who does some great work away from the field.

But as the anonymous Shire man who flagged this issue argued, how was it left to get to this point? Surely someone at the QRL or NRL should have resolved this matter before Mulitalo got anywhere near the Queensland junior rep teams, let alone the state’s Origin squad. It’s harsh, but the rules are the rules. It should never have been left to the day of the game.

What do you think about Ronaldo’s late axing? Should he be playing tonight, or was it the right call? Should the rules surrounding Origin eligibility be re-examined? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Brent Read3.40pm:Cleary ready to steal Munster’s crown

Cameron Munster has never lost a State of Origin game at Suncorp Stadium. Nathan Cleary has never won one — and his record scarcely gets any better in club football.

Cleary, the golden boy for the Blues, has a loathsome record at the Cauldron. He won his first game of club football at the ground and then went five games without another victory. Rather than a theatre of dreams, it has been the stuff of nightmares.

Nathan Cleary. Picture: Getty Images
Nathan Cleary. Picture: Getty Images

Club football has been kinder in the past two years — he has won his past three games for Penrith at the ground — but it has remained a barren wasteland at Origin level.

Read the full story here

Michael Carayannis3.30pm:Ronaldo ‘shattered, heartbroken’

Ronaldo Mulitalo has spoken of his devastation after being controversially deemed ineligible to play State of Origin and has called for an overhaul of the selection rules.

The 21-year-old was set to make his Maroons debut, following the late omission of rookie fullback Reece Walsh – until the NSWRL fired in a protest against the Cronulla Sharks winger’s selection.

Ronaldo Mulitalo. Picture: Getty Images
Ronaldo Mulitalo. Picture: Getty Images

“I’m absolutely shattered and heartbroken,” Mulitalo said.

“I have no idea how it has come to this. To be told on the day of the game that my dream to represent Queensland has been taken away is gut-wrenching.

“I just have no idea how such a major sport and multimillion-dollar industry can allow a player to represent Queensland in the under-18s, in the under-20s and be part of emerging Maroons camps but then be deemed ineligible for State of Origin.

“The entire system of eligibility is a mess. I have made it known to all powers that be within the game from the day I got here as a 13-year-old that I wanted to represent Queensland.

“I ticked every box on the eligibility sheet in regards to playing for Queensland.

“There needs to be a serious look at how the eligibility rules are governed because of what has happened to me.”

So excited was Mulitalo at making his Maroons debut that he had organised 20 closest family and friends to be at Suncorp Stadium for the match.

Read the full story here

Brent Read3.00pm:Maroons blow as Mulitalo deemed ineligible

Queensland have suffered a dramatic setback on the morning of the second State of Origin game after it emerged that winger Ronaldo Mulitalo was ineligible to play for the Maroons.

Mulitalo was only drafted into the Queensland side when Reece Walsh succumbed to injury on Saturday. However, it emerged on Saturday night that he had moved from New Zealand to Queensland after his 13th birthday, which in fact rendered him ineligible to play Origin under the guidelines.

Ironically, it was an article on the Queensland Rugby League’s own website that led to Mulitalo being scratched on Origin morning.

The article detailed how Mulitalo had moved to Queensland when he was 14. The article was spotted by an eagle-eyed fan on social media and ultimately found its way into the hands of the NSW Rugby League, who raised their concerns with the NRL.

The NRL conducted their own inquiries and arrived at the decision that Mulitalo was ineligible to be selected, capping a dramatic 24 hours for Camp Queensland as they attempted to rally from their loss in the opening game of the series.

Read the full story here

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