Rugby League: Girdler inspires Blues to Origin whitewash

New South Wales centre Ryan Girdler spearheaded a State of Origin demolition as the Blues walloped Queensland 56-16 at Stadium Australia last night.

The Blues crowned their 10th series win with Girdler helping himself to a personal haul of 32 points from three tries and 10 goals from 10 attempts.

The Penrith star's effort eclipsed former NSW centre Michael O'Connor's 18 points in Origin I at Lang Park in 1985 and his 52 points for the series surpassed Queenslander Gary Belcher's series record of 32 points in 1988.

Girdler's hat-trick also matched the feat achieved by former wingers Chris Anderson (NSW) in 1983 and Kerry Boustead (Queensland) a year later, while his 10 goals bettered Maroons legend Mal Meninga's seven in 1980.

The win gave the Blues their third Origin whitewash in the history of the state against state series after earlier wins in Sydney and Brisbane.

It was also the biggest winning margin in the series.

"We really put our stamp on it tonight," Girdler said.

"When you win 56-16 everyone on the field has had their best game."

Girdler's fellow centre Matthew Gidley also had a night to remember, bagging two tries as the Blues made a mockery of Queensland's ambitions of taking something out of a dead rubber.

Queensland were in the game at halftime but fell off the pace early in the second spell. The Blues reached the half century still with eight minutes to play.

Fittingly, Girdler opened the scoring when he intercepted a short pass from Queensland replacement Julian O'Neill and raced 40 metres to touch down under the posts.

He was also involved in the Blues' second try three minutes later.

His good run sent the Blues deep into Maroons territory.

Two rucks later, and with the Queensland defensive line still in disarray, interchange forward Adam Muir accepted a short pass from skipper Brad Fittler and waltzed over next to the posts.

Desperate to hit back, Queensland did so in the 23rd minute.

Video referee Graeme West ruled winger Mat Rogers had successfully grounded the ball after NSW fullback Tim Brasher was slow to react to a Darren Lockyer bomb.

But Lockyer was equally as sloppy four minutes later when he lost possession in the Queensland in-goal area while trying to clean up a kick from Blues winger Adam MacDougall.

Girdler swooped to score his second try and added the conversion to restore NSW's 12-point advantage.

Queensland narrowed the margin to 18-10 when centre Darren Smith crossed after a bomb from Maroons captain Adrian Lam, before a Girdler penalty goal in the 38th minute completed the first-half scoring.