With their backs against the wall, the Maroons delivered a disciplined and efficient performance to stun New South Wales 24-12 in game three and seal another memorable State of Origin series victory.
It’s been a campaign marked by adversity, most notably when skipper Daly Cherry-Evanswas axed after Game One. For the decider, captain Cameron Munster was playing just days after the passing of his father.
Munster returned to lead his side to a famous win in Sydney to clinch the series 2-1. After losing the opener 18-6 in Brisbane, Queensland bounced back with a 26-24 win in Perth before sealing the series on enemy turf.
The Blues entered the decider as heavy favourites, boasting what was considered the strongest side on paper. But as they have so often done, the Maroons embraced their underdog status, and delivered when it mattered most.
Kurt Capewell in action for the Maroons in the State of Origin decider. Photo / Photosport
This was the 10th series decider since 2011, and remarkably, Queensland have now won eight of them.
Coach Billy Slater faced criticism in the build-up for some of his bold selections: debutant Gehamat Shibasaki, bringing Josh Papali’i out of representative retirement and naming Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback over Reece Walsh. But every call proved to be a masterstroke.
New South Wales started strongly and dominated territory early, but their attack faltered in the red zone as Queensland’s defence held firm.
The Maroons opened the scoring through a Valentine Holmes penalty after Kurt Capewell was hit high by Stephen Crichton. Queensland’s first try came soon after when they capitalised on a Blues error, marching upfield before Xavier Coates finished out wide.
Then came a moment of brilliance: Rob Toia, almost bundled into touch, flicked a miraculous offload back infield to Tabuai-Fidow, who sprinted into space and linked with Tom Dearden for Queensland’s second try.
A rare Queensland error appeared to hand the Blues a chance, but the Maroons successfully challenged the call and made the most of the reprieve. Harry Grant burrowed over to score their third, giving them a commanding 20-0 halftime lead.
The Blues came out fired up in the second half, but still lacked a clinical edge. They were denied twice by heroic try-saving tackles, first by Tabuai-Fidow, then Dearden.
Stephen Crichton eventually crossed in the corner, to give the Blues a fighting chance, but the Maroons were ultimately too clinical, as it took nearly 70 minutes for them to make a handling error.
The night ended in style for the Maroons when Dearden crossed for his second to seal the famous win and help Munster honour the passing of his father in style.
The Blues had the last say when To’o scored a consolation with the final play of the game, which saw him equal the record for most tries in a series with five.
It was a rare highlight on a glorious night for the Maroons.
Dearden was named Player of the Match and the Wally Lewis Medal for Player of the Series.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
