QLD Create History. Tough out a Great Win
The first half of the game was highlighted by a strong Qld attacking effort, a dazed Greg Inglis taken from the field after a cheap shot from Trent Barrett, A freak 80m try to Jaryd Hayne and two poor video referee decisions. It was also notable for some pent up NSW frustration and a much slower ruck speed.
The first Queensland was scored by Greg Inglis when Brent Kite got lazy on inside and just stopped when he had a chance to take G.I. . He just stopped and left it for his captain Kurt Gidley who was trampled by GI.
David Williams was having a horror debut, coughing up the ball twice for catastrophic circumstances. Willie Tonga had two rip-ticklers of a tackle forcing both Williams errors.
The second Qld try through Israel Folou busting through Robbie Farrah and Justin Poore Soft NSW defence in the middle of the ruck. 18 minutes QLD 12-0. Another notable moment when an ironic cheer from the crowd in the 20th minute for David Williams actually holding the ball in kick return.
More drama came when Trent Barrett hit Greg Inglis with a high shot in the 21st minute, which shook Inglis up. It was a cheap shot and deserved more than just being placed on report. GI escorted from field and Qld fans are hopeful that he can return.
Peter Wallace is having a poor game although not being helped by his team-mates. Poor pass from dummy-half Robbie Farrah gifted the next try to QLD to lead 18-0 after just 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes the key NSW players are playing poorly, with Robbie Farrah and Peter Wallace the main culprits. Too much dropped ball again turning over the 26th minute allowing QLD attacking position again, but Jarryd Hayne sneaked an intercept and ran 90 minutes to score the first NSW try. Hayne misses and Qld score, as it was it could be the catalyst for NSW to bounce back. Gidley converts and at the the score sits at Qld 18-NSW 6 at the 30 minute mark.
Glenn Stewart drops the ball in the next set of six giving Qld field position again. A freak bounce off the uprights provided the NSW with the ball and stops the Qld attack. A controversial decision to deny a try to Ashley Harrison. No valied reason could be the reason behind this decision as Willie Tonga attempted to throw a pass backwards on the 5th tackle. The ball bounced off a NSW head, bounces into the arms on Ashley Harrison who plants the ball for a try. Somehow, it was determined that it was not a try? Both Phil Gould and Wally Lewis saw it as a try and were amazed and incredulous that it wasn't awarded.
The next set saw some fireworks after the previous set provided the spark for some pent up NSW frustration with Luke O'Donnell being the main culprit. Justin Poore and Mick Crocker had a tete-to-tete after Poore appeared to bite Crocker in a tackle. The reason was obscured by the TV commentators and the vision, but Crocker reacted over something as the tackle was fairly innocent. Crocker with a live by the sword, die by the sword didn't lay a complaint.
With the crowd back in the game Hayne scores a sneaky one from dummy half when the QLD markers. Another controversial decision with the marker , Luke O'Donnell clearly holding Israel Folou and not giving him access to tackle Hayne. Benefit of the doubt was the ruling which bemused renowned Blue Peter Sterling was again amazed for the decision. Thats two poor decisions from the video ref and has gifted NSW 10 points and with QLD holding an 18-10 lead at half-time have kept NSW in the game.
After ten minutes of the second half, NSW are visibly tougher and stronger while QLD are struggling with injury. Qld are holding in there but the momentum is with NSW. Josh Morris hits the field with Robbie Farrah being interchanged with a reshuffle with Gidley into hook, and Hayne into fullback.
It's all NSW at this time, but NSW relived some pressure with a poor kick gifting QLD 20 metres. Mick Crocker however drops the ball again for the third time in the second half. Crocker could be the QLD liability. NSW are reading the QLD plays well and it will only be QLD grit that gets them home.
NSW scored in the 62th minute after a poor attempt on a bomb. Sustained pressure from NSW . Strength from Williams made the try as he just rode over Darius Boyd to slam down the ball and put NSW within a try. A mixed night for Williams, but the try should make it something to tell his grandkids. 18-14 with just 15 minutes to go.
ANOTHER DROPPED BALL FROM MICK CROCKER in the 65th minute gives NSW great attacking space. QLD are gone at the moment, and Crocker is proving the liability. He needs to pull his head in and hold the ball. Another set for QLD to defend. A Steve Price charge-down give QLD the ball and they need some spark and some motivation in this set. It amost came in the way of Billy Slater, but NSW hold on to get the ball.
Qld really did tough out this game and were rewarded by a try in the final minutes with Cameron Smith scoring to put the game and the series beyond doubt. The fact that it was Luke O'Donnell who made the mistake for NSW for QLD to score made it very sweet for Qld supporters. Both he and Anthony Watmough sailed close to the wind with elbows and forearms in most tackles, didn't go unnoticed from those north of the border. The try was converted and put QLD 24-14.
Credit to NSW who really put it to QLD tonight and again, dominated the second half. The finishing touches again were missing and Trent Barrett played well, but Peter Wallace has played his last Origin game. The composure and passion of a Jonathon Thurston was the key ingredient needed by the Blues.
The game won't go down as a classic Origin but will be remembered for a QLD team that guttsed out a great win in true adversity with some decisions from match officials thrown in. Qld deserve four series in a row, and thoroughly deserve this victory and every accolade that can be thrown at them.