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State of Origin Game 3 live coverage: Blues snatch the series after thrilling finish

The stars and the flops from a classic Origin decider. Here are the player ratings from Game 3.

Tom Crystal and AAP
14 min read
11:54PMJuly 10, 2019
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NSW's James Tedesco after his incredible try, as Mitchell Pearce takes off in celebration. Picture: Phil Hillyard
NSW's James Tedesco after his incredible try, as Mitchell Pearce takes off in celebration. Picture: Phil Hillyard

NSW have beaten Queensland 26-20 at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium in Game 3 of the 2019 State of Origin series. It seals 2-1 series win. Read below for a match recap and player ratings

PLAYER RATINGS

NSW

1. James Tedesco: Sparked NSW into attack in the first half and scored a double in the second, including the last-minute winner. Ran for a game-high 222 metres. Player of the series. 9.5

2. Blake Ferguson: Targeted under the high ball but handled the extra attention with aplomb and ran for 158 metres before setting up the match-winning try. 8.5

3. Tom Trbojevic: Knocked on early and was quiet in attack before sparking the match-winning play and defended well all night. 7.5

4. Jack Wighton: The Canberra utility defended with vigour and ran hard for 97 metres from 12 runs. 7.5

5. Josh Addo-Carr: Energetic without leaving his mark on the game. Ran for 94 metres. 7

6. James Maloney: Cool, calm and collected all night. Made some mistakes but his composure ensured the Blues finished the job. Booted 5/5 off the tee. 8

7. Mitchell Pearce: Quiet in attack but defended well and is finally rewarded with his first shield more than a decade after making his debut. 7

8. Daniel Saifiti: Made 14 tackles and only ran for 26 metres but did his job. 6.5

9. Damien Cook: Crafty out of the ruck all night and scored what appeared to be the sealer with some fancy footwork that bamboozled Cameron Munster. Made 38 tackles. 8

15. David Klemmer: A late inclusion into the starting side and showed why with 115 metres and 21 tackles. 7.5

11. Boyd Cordner: A real captain’s knock doing plenty of grunt work and running for 106 metres while making 29 tackles. 8

12. Tyson Frizell: Gave away the penalty that invited the Maroons back into the match but made 34 tackles in an energetic display. 7

13. Jake Trbojevic: Led the Blues in defence with 39 tackles, including a few try-saving efforts at the death. 8.5

10. Paul Vaughan: Scored NSW’s opening try after muscling his way over from close range. Ran for 55 metres and made 18 tackles. 7.5

14. Dale Finucane: Best bench player with 95 metres and 17 tackles. 7.5

16. Cameron Murray: Made a handy one-on-one strip in the second half and a 40-metre break through the midfield. Impact player. 7.5

17. Wade Graham: Didn’t have the same impact as game two due to limited minutes but contributed nonetheless. 7

NSW TOTAL: 130

QLD

1. Cameron Munster: Looked dangerous every time he touched the ball and was the game’s best player in first half. Ran for 162 metres. 8.5

Cameron Munster fends off Damien Cook. Picture: Picture: AAP
Cameron Munster fends off Damien Cook. Picture: Picture: AAP

2. Corey Oates: Made a few mistakes but was huge in attack with 214 metres from 18 runs. Almost stole it at the death. 7.5

14. Moses Mbye: Brought into the centres late in place of Michael Morgan and ran for 101 metres while making five tackles. 6

4. Will Chambers: Strong with 146 metres but stood off Tedesco which allowed the Blues’ go-ahead try in the second half. 7

5. Dane Gagai: Worked hard but couldn’t stamp his mark on the action when the game was there to be won. Ran for 101 metres. 6.5

6. Corey Norman: Gave away an early penalty but set up the opening try and kicked well until putting one out on the full in the second half. 6.5

7. Daly Cherry-Evans: Toiled hard all night and made 24 tackles before setting up Josh Papalli’s try to draw Queensland level in the dying minutes. 8

8. Joe Ofahengaue: Ran for 75 metres and made 25 tackles. Played with plenty of vigour and has a big future in Origin. 6.5

9. Ben Hunt: Solid out of dummy-half all night and made 33 tackles. More than serviceable shift. 7

10. Josh Papalii: Fierce in attack and defence with some enormous runs in his 90 metres. Scored the equaliser in the final minutes. 8

11. Felise Kaufusi: Scored the opening try from a beautiful Corey Norman grubber. Ran for 88 metres and making 17 tackles. 7.5

Ethan Lowe with the pressure conversion to level the scores. Picture: Adam Head
Ethan Lowe with the pressure conversion to level the scores. Picture: Adam Head

18. Ethan Lowe: A late call up after for Matt Gillett, started and took on goal-kicking duties. Made a charge down to set up Papalii’s try then booted the conversion. Made 47 tackles. Incredible debut. 9

13. Josh McGuire: Close to Maroons best forward. Ferocious in attack and made 45 tackles while also sparking the comeback with a try in the second half. 8

3. Michael Morgan: Copped friendly fire from Josh Maguire and was knocked out cold in the 48th minute. 6

15. Christian Welch: Made 17 tackles and ran for 62 metres. 6.5

16. Tim Glasby: Minimal impact with 23 metres and 11 tackles. 6

17. David Fifita: Ran for 19 metres and made 15 tackles. 6

QLD TOTAL: 120.5

—AAP

Tedesco magic delivers thrilling win

James Tedesco scored with 32 seconds left to give NSW a stunning 26-20 victory in the State of Origin decider to defend their shield, AAP reports.

Scores were locked at 20-all in the final minute when Blake Ferguson tiptoed the sideline, then found Tedesco for his second try of the night.

James Tedesco scores winning try. Picture: Phil Hillyard
James Tedesco scores winning try. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It came after Queensland forward Josh Papalii crossed in the 77th minute and debutant Ethan Lowe nailed a pressure conversion to level the game.

The dramatic finish ended a run of seven straight defeats in Origin deciders for the Blues, dating back to the start of the Maroons’ dynasty in 2006.

It is also Mitchell Pearce’s first series win over Queensland in eight attempts.

NSW players celebrate. Picture: AAP
NSW players celebrate. Picture: AAP

NSW appeared headed for a comfortable finish when Tedesco and Damien Cook broke an 8-all deadlock with tries in the space of nine minutes.

However the horrors of series past seemed to return after Queensland scored twice in the final eight minutes through Josh McGuire and Papalii.

When Lowe’s conversion sailed through, Origin was seemingly set for its first golden point contest in front of a sellout 82,565 crowd at ANZ Stadium.

Blues coach Brad Fittler with halfback Mitchell Pearce. Picture: AAP
Blues coach Brad Fittler with halfback Mitchell Pearce. Picture: AAP

But Tedesco, who finished the night with a game-high 222 metres and 10 tackle busts, turned hero with his game-winning four-pointer.

Tedesco, named player of the series, turned the game three times, beginning with a 65-metre kick return in the 34th minute to set up the Blues’ first try.

A shattered Daly Cherry-Evans. Picture: Adam Head
A shattered Daly Cherry-Evans. Picture: Adam Head

It came after the Maroons’ strong start that debutant Corey Norman turned into points, forcing a line dropout and then grubbering for Felise Kaufusi to score.

More Maroons pressure resulted in a penalty goal — one of 12 infringements ruled by the referees in a frustratingly stop-start contest.

However Tedesco’s kick return set up Paul Vaughan to level the game at halftime, before producing his second-half heroics.

— AAP

The victorious NSW team. Picture: Brett Costello
The victorious NSW team. Picture: Brett Costello

Match blog — how the game unfolded:

10.06pm: Full-time, NSW win

The Blues have buried their demons with a pulsating win over a gallant Queensland side. NSW skipped out to a big lead and looked like burying their opponents, but the Maroons clawed their way back into the game and only a piece of Origin magic decided a fantastic contest.

NSW win series 2-1

10.05pm: Try NSW!

James Tedesco scores a long-range try in the final minute to snatch victory for NSW and hand them a series win. Unbelievable finish to this game. Mitchell Pearce starts the play with a brave pass over the top to Tom Trbojevic, who finds Blake Ferguson. Ferguson keeps his feet inside the touchline and passes inside to who else but Tedesco, and he scrambles over in the corner. James Maloney converts.

NSW 26-20 Qld, 80th minute

10pm: Try Qld!

Josh Papalii steams onto a beautiful pass from Daly Cherry-Evans, after a charge-down from Ethan Lowe, and somehow the Maroons are level after Lowe converts from a difficult angle.

NSW 20-20 Qld, 78th minute

9.55pm: Try Qld!

Out of nowhere, and against the run of play, Queensland are right back in it. NSW have bombed chance after chance but can’t come up with the killer blow. The Blues concede a penalty on their own line after taking out a kick-chaser, and Josh McGuire steams over from 10m out after a determined charge. The video ref confirms there is no double movement. Ethan Lowe converts.

NSW 20-14 Qld, 72nd minute

9.38pm: Try NSW!

Damien Cook this time — he crosses after a brilliant run out of dummy half. The hooker just took the ball and took off — leaving defenders clutching at air. It’s all NSW now. Maloney converts again.

NSW 20-8 Qld, 61st minute

9.30pm: Try NSW!

Some James Tedesco magic gives NSW the lead. A penalty on the last tackle — the first of this half — puts the Blues on the attack. They shift it wide and the light-footed fullback takes advantage of some hesitant defence to stemroll over. James Maloney converts from the touchline.

NSW 14-8 Qld, 53rd minute

9.26pm: Morgan KO’d

Bench utility player Michael Morgan cops a sickening, accidental elbow from Josh McGuire and his night is over. Nothing in the first minutes of the second half, which Queensland will be loving.

NSW 8-8 Qld, 48th minute

9.18pm: Qld’s ‘best half of the series’

Maroons coach Kevin Walters is quietly buzzing about the first half, telling former great Darren Lockyer they’re on track for victory. “I’m very happy, that is probably our best 40 minutes of the series,” he says.

9.16pm: Second half underway

Queensland begin the second stanza, kicking off to NSW for the final 40 minutes of the 2019 series.

8.57pm: Half-time

A pulsating half that could probably only have done with less interference from the referees. Queensland are right in this game, and they’ve looked the better team overall. Cameron Munster and Josh Papalii have been outstanding for the Maroons. Damien Cook and James Tedesco have been the Blues’ best.

NSW 8-8 Qld, half-time

Paul Vaughan barges his way over. Picture: Brett Costello
Paul Vaughan barges his way over. Picture: Brett Costello

8.52pm: Try NSW!

The Blues needed that. A long, weaving 65m run from fullback James Tedesco puts NSW in good field position. A couple of penalties conceded by Queensland on their own line result in replacement prop Paul Vaughan crashing over from close range. Ugly but effective. The video referee confirms the initial ruling and we’re looking at a tied game.

NSW 8-8 Qld, 35th minute

8.45pm: Penalty-fest!

The referees are making their presence felt in this game — which isn’t what we’ve come to expect at this level. We’ve had 10 penalties by the 28th minute, the last one handing Queensland a gift two points. The Maroons deserve their early lead. Josh Papalii has led the way for them in an inspiring display.

NSW 2-8 Qld, 29th minute

David Klemmer is snapped in half by the Maroons defence. Picture: Getty Images
David Klemmer is snapped in half by the Maroons defence. Picture: Getty Images

8.30pm: Try Queensland!

A shock lead for the Maroons. A repeat set puts them in an attacking area and an early kick from Corey Norman, on debut, to his outside men, is swooped on by a desperate Felise Kaufusi. Ethan Lowe converts from slightly left of the posts.

NSW 2-6 Qld, 17th minute

8.20pm: NSW edge ahead

A penalty gifts the Blues great field position, and then another — in front of the sticks — hands James Maloney the chance to land a penalty goal. No mistake.

NSW 2-0 Qld, 6th minute

8.15pm: Kick-off

NSW get us underway, giving Queensland first use of the football.

8.10pm: Teams are on the field

Queensland take a traditional route to the Homebush turf, while Boyd Cordner leads the NSW team through a special tunnel under the stadium, used by Cathy Freeman for the 2000 Olympics torch-lighting ceremony.

7.35pm: Walters punts on newcomer

Michael Morgan will start off the bench for Queensland, while Ethan Lowe will make his State of Origin debut tonight, AAP reports.

Morgan had been named in the centres but Moses Mbye will start in the Maroons’ backline.

Lowe replaces back-rower Matt Gillett, ruled out on Tuesday due to a groin injury.

The Blues have also confirmed prop David Klemmer will start, with Paul Vaughan to take his place on the bench.

7.30pm: Well, it is Origin night

This one is going straight to the pool room ...

7.20pm: Any Queenslanders in the house?

They may be outnumbered, but that’s never stopped a proud Queenslander from showing their true colours. The bumper crowd in Sydney will have its fair share of Maroons supporters.

Karrissa Cassingham and Katie Cassingham ahead of game three. Picture: Adam Head
Karrissa Cassingham and Katie Cassingham ahead of game three. Picture: Adam Head

7pm: Decider a sellout

6.30pm: Fittler: ‘the boys will put on a show’

NSW coach Brad Fittler tells a pre-game interview that his players “are ready to go — they’ll put on a show.”

Brent Read 6pm: Maroons plan late switch

Moses Mbye has started the sum total of nine games in the centres over the course of his first grade. He looks set to take that total to 10 tonight as Queensland tinker with their line-up before kick-off in the third and deciding State of Origin game at ANZ Stadium.

Mbye has spent most of the lead-in to the game training in the centre spot that was meant to be filled by Michael Morgan.

Morgan was sidelined early while recovering from the concussion he suffered last weekend against St George Illawarra but the Maroons persisted with Mbye in the position even after Morgan was cleared to return to training.

It means the Wests Tigers captain will be charged with keeping in check NSW danger-man Tom Trbojevic, who had a field day in Origin II at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Trbojevic finished that game with three tries as NSW squared the series with a 38-6 thrashing of Queensland on neutral territory.

That win set up a decider in Sydney, the Blues heavy favourites to make it back-to-back series wins and provide further confirmation that the greatest dynasty in the history of Origin has come to an end.

While Mbye will find himself in relatively unfamiliar surrounds at ANZ Stadium tonight, the Blues are also expected to make changes to their line-up before kick-off.

Prop David Klemmer looks certain to start the game, having originally been named on the interchange bench after coming into the side when Tariq Sims was suspended for the hit on Morgan.

Queensland utility Moses Mbye. Picture: Adam Head
Queensland utility Moses Mbye. Picture: Adam Head

That would mean Paul Vaughan would drop back to the interchange bench and Jake Trbojevic would start were he was named at lock.

The Blues made sweeping changes to their forward pack prior to kick-off in Origin II, Trbojevic moved to the front row to make room for Dale Finucane.

Finucane will likely start the decider on the bench unless coach Brad Fittler also opts to relegate Daniel Saifiti from the starting side.

Fittler and his players have kept the media guessing over the make-up of their side, Vaughan among those to play the game when he was asked whether he knew whether he was starting or not.

“I am just happy to be in the team, whether I am starting or coming off the bench I have a role to play,” Vaughan said. “Wherever I am, I want to do the best for the team. I reckon it is the biggest game I have played so far.

“I was talking to my sister the other day about how much this game means to me and the state — running out in front of 85,000 people.

“It will be something I won’t forget so hopefully we get the result.”

The Blues have an horrific recent history in deciders but Vaughan said they hadn’t discussed their record.

“I don’t think that is something we have to worry about too much,” Vaughan said.

“We have done a bit of video on how we want to improve our game from game two. That’s what we worry about.

“It’s a good position to be in when you know you can improve after such a strong performance. You just want to reproduce that game, that performance.

“You have to have that hunger and not be complacent. You have to want to be better.”

North Queensland forward Ethan Lowe will make his debut for the Maroons after coming into the side for Matt Gillett. He is likely to start in the second row.

5.30pm: Sydney shows its true colours

5pm: Blues soak up game day

NSW players looked relaxed when they took off from their Homebush lodgings for a traditional pre-match stroll. Most attention has been on recalled halfback Mitchell Pearce, allowing some of the team’s big guns to fly under the radar this week.

NSW players during their team walk on game day in Sydney. Picture: AAP
NSW players during their team walk on game day in Sydney. Picture: AAP

4.30pm: Unlikely forecast?

3.55pm: Team’s for tonight’s decider

NSW front-rower David Klemmer will be in the starting line-up in Wednesday’s State of Origin decider, assistant coach Danny Buderus has confirmed.

Blues coach Brad Fittler was non-committal on the make-up of his run-on side when the team regathered in camp on Sunday afternoon. However, Buderus last night confirmed Klemmer — named on the bench — would start alongside Newcastle teammate Daniel Saifiti in the front row, with Paul Vaughan shifting to the bench.

The teams for tonight's match.
The teams for tonight's match.

Klemmer was easily the Blues’ best forward in game one, when he played nearly all of his 50 minutes with a broken wrist that ruled him out of game two. Fittler surprisingly overlooked the Kangaroos incumbent for the decider before rushing him back into the squad for the suspended Tariq Sims.

“A big body, he’s a play-one forward. He’s prepared really well with the rest of the team so he’s in for a big night,” Buderus said on NRL 360.

“We’ve worked around a few things, how we balance the team out, and we’ve come up with Klemmer will start.”

AAP

3.30pm: Key numbers for tonight’s game

1. EXPECT A NAILBITER
Of the past seven Origin games played at ANZ Stadium, all have been decided by four points or less. During this time, the winning team has not scored more than 18 points.

2. TEDDY BETTER THAN JOEY, JT AND LOCKY?
NSW fullback James Tedesco has three try assists from games one and two and if he can produce two more, he will equal Andrew Johns (2005), Trent Barrett (2002), Darren Lockyer (2010), Johnathan Thurston (2006 and 2010) for most in a series.

James Tedesco (left) fends off Queensland defender Michael Morgan during game two in Perth. Picture: Brett Costello
James Tedesco (left) fends off Queensland defender Michael Morgan during game two in Perth. Picture: Brett Costello

3. RECORDS SET TO TUMBLE ON BOTH SIDES
Unless Queensland can score three points or more, it will represent their lowest cumulative points total for a series since 1999 (27). If NSW score over eight points, it will be their most points in a series since scoring 84 in 2005.

4. CHASING A DOUBLE DOUBLE
Dane Gagai, Tom Trbojevic and Josh Addo-Carr can become the first player in Origin history to score multiple tries in multiple games in a single series if they can bag a double.

5. FREDDY THE BEST SINCE GUS?
Brad Fittler will become just the second NSW coach to win back-to-back series, after Phil Gould, if his side can come out on top. Gould is also the only Blues coach to win more than one series.

NSW coaching legends ... current mentor Brad Fittler (left) and the most successful Blues boss of all, Phil Gould. Picture: Mark Evans
NSW coaching legends ... current mentor Brad Fittler (left) and the most successful Blues boss of all, Phil Gould. Picture: Mark Evans

6. QLD’S GAME THREE DOMINANCE
NSW have won just 11 of 37 game threes. Queensland have also dominated deciders, coming out on top on 13 of 19 occasions with the Blues winning just four with another two draws. The Maroons have also won the last seven deciders in 2006, 08, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 17.

7. QLD NOT AFRAID OF ENEMY SOIL
Of the seven deciders played in NSW, Queensland have a superior record, winning four (1982, 1998, 2008 and 2013), NSW two (1992 and 2004) while there was a draw in 2002.

8. A BIG OCCASION FOR DCE

Leading the Maroons ... Daly Cherry-Evans. Picture: AAP
Leading the Maroons ... Daly Cherry-Evans. Picture: AAP

Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has a chance to become the first player to win a maiden series as captain since Cameron Smith in 2008.

9. MALONEY STEERING NSW
In his 13 Origin appearances, James Maloney has come up with 12 try assists, meaning he sits third behind Brad Fittler (19) and Andrew Johns (18) on NSW’s all-time list.

10. THE NEWCASTLE CONNECTION
With Mitchell Pearce and David Klemmer joining Daniel Saifiti and Tim Glasby, Newcastle have four Origin representatives for the first time since game 1 in 2007 (Danny Buderus, Kurt Gidley, Steve Simpson and Jarrod Mullen).

AAP

3.15pm: NSW’s tale of woe in deciders

New South Wales has a poor record in State of Origin deciders. Here are the key moments from years past.

2017 — QLD 22-6 NSW at Suncorp Stadium
■ The series defeat best remembered for Jarryd Hayne’s no-pass in game two that resulted in a game-two defeat at home, and Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson’s pre-decider pub session that ended Laurie Daley’s time as Blues coach.

Dejected Blues players in 2017 ... (from left) Andrew Fifita, Jack Bird, Aaron Woods, Jarryd Hayne and Josh Dugan. Picture: AAP
Dejected Blues players in 2017 ... (from left) Andrew Fifita, Jack Bird, Aaron Woods, Jarryd Hayne and Josh Dugan. Picture: AAP

2015 — QLD 52-6 NSW at Suncorp Stadium
■ An eight-try thumping capped off by a Justin Hodges conversion to celebrate the end of his representative career.

2013 — QLD 12-10 NSW at ANZ Stadium
■ The decider some may remember for the crowd that set the post-Olympics record at Stadium Australia, or for the 80-metre run from the streaker whose neutral infringement handed Queensland a crucial scrum late in the game.
2012 — QLD 21-20 NSW at Suncorp Stadium
■ Todd Carney converted from the sideline to level the scores in the 70th minute, only for Cooper Cronk to nail a 40-metre game-winning field goal. The series was Ricky Stuart’s last as Blues coach.

Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston celebrate Queensland’s last-ditch field goal to win game three in 2012. Picture: Darren England
Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston celebrate Queensland’s last-ditch field goal to win game three in 2012. Picture: Darren England

2011 — QLD 34-24 NSW at Suncorp Stadium
■ The memorable moment Johnathan Thurston came out in a wheelchair to celebrate a comfortable win after a sickening leg injury in the second half.

2008 — QLD 16-10 NSW at ANZ Stadium
■ Danny Buderus’s farewell, Mitchell Pearce’s debut and Braith Anasta’s comeback all spoiled by Johnathan Thurston’s clutch match-winning play for Billy Slater, breaking the heart of NSW rookie coach and Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy.

2006 — QLD 16-14 NSW at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
■ The infamous Brett Hodgson pass from dummy-half that bounced right into the hands of Darren Lockyer for the 74th-minute game-winner.

Brett Hodgson comes to terms with the 2006 loss in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images
Brett Hodgson comes to terms with the 2006 loss in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Additional reporting: AAP

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