For a third successive year, Queensland claims the Origin Series, defeating NSW 16-10 in the decider. The Mighty Maroons have not had a hat-trick of series wins since 1987-89.
It was an intense game with back-to-back action. NSW opened up the scoring with a penalty kick in the 3rd minute and Queensland answered with a try 2 minutes later. The Blues then hit back with a converted try but The Maroons answered with a brilliant one from Isarel Folau to tie the score. Finally before the half time whistle blew, NSW scores another 2-pointer from a penalty kick. NSW was then leading Queensland 10-8.
At this point, The Maroons had lost halfback Scott Prince to a broken arm. Yet, in a stroke of reshuffling genius, Jonathan Thurston was moved from 5/8th to his preferred halfback slot, Karmichael Hunt was brought down to 5/8th from fullback, and hotshot interchange Billy Slater got to play his resident Storm position.
Returning to the game in the second half, the score was locked at 10-all after Queensland scored a penalty kick. What ensued was an extreme race against time to score the winning try. NSW was brutally attacking from all angles and The Maroons defended their try line ferociously. The game could swing either side.
Then came the 68th minute. Jonathan Thurston caught a fatigued left flank unawares and dummied his way through unchallenged. And with a beautiful pass to Billy Slater down the middle, the rest was history.
The boys came up with a sensational win without Darren Lockyer and that’s something to be extremely proud of… GO DA MAROONS!!!
