The 2014 State of Origin series goes on the line tonight when the NSW Blues host the Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. The Blues claimed a gritty 12-8 victory in the first game at Suncorp Stadium three weeks ago and can end the Maroons’ eight-year domination of the interstate series with another win.
Queensland’s preparation has been anything but smooth, with a host of big-name stars struggling with injury most of the week. NSW has enjoyed a much calmer build-up and will start favourite for tonight’s showdown.
Crave will provide live updates of all the action from kick-off until the final whistle. With plenty at stake, the game shapes as another Origin classic. Let’s get it on!
Post-Game: Thanks for joining us guys. Congratulations to the Blues on the series win. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks on July 9 for Game Three at Suncorp Stadium.
Full-time: NSW wins 6-4, the Maroons unable to conjure another miracle at the death. The victory means the Blues can celebrate their first series win since 2005.
77th Minute: Teams come together again after Qld knocks on. Looks like the dynasty is over for Maroons fans. Could be a rough end to the match.
71st Minute: Qld crack. Blues halfback Trent Hodkinson runs into a yawning gap to plant the ball near the posts. Hodkinson converts his own try. Blues up 6-4.
69th Minute: NSW pouring on the pressure. About to start their fourth set in a row. Will Qld crack?
64th Minute: Both teams starting to fatigue. A few errors starting to creep into both sides’ games. Who’s going to stand up?
59th Minute: Qld spill the ball on halfway. NSW will have a good attacking opportunity here. Watch out for Jarryd Hayne, Maroons fans. Whoops, Blues turn it over first tackle.
55th minute: Winger Brent Tate helped from the field after injuring his knee in a tackle. Chris McQueen moves to the wing. Qld in front 4-0. Still no tries.
52nd Minute: Qld go close through Sam Thaiday, but the Broncos forward drops the ball over the line. NSW escape. Maroons still in front 4-0.
48th Minute: Big Dave Taylor on for Qld for the first time. Can he have an impact?
42nd Minute: Qld got a good attacking opportunity to start the half but lost the ball. Hopefully there will be some tries scored in the second half.
halftime: Qld go into the break 4-0 up, but the game has been pretty even as the scoreline suggests. Two goals from Thurston is all that separates the teams. It’s been a forwards’ match so far, with little lateral movement from both sides. There’s been plenty of niggle, but as yet it hasn’t exploded into full-on fisticuffs. There’s plenty to play for in the second half.
40th Minute: Cherry-Evans goes desperately close for Qld with a short kick after a bust from Hodges, but the Blues manage to clean up.
37th Minute: Qld survive another attacking raid after Brent Tate takes a high kick intended for Blues winger Daniel Tupou.
NSW bundled into touch 30m from Qld’s tryline. Both teams backlines are yet to fire. Maroons still in front 4-0.
29th Minute: Qld gets a penalty near the posts after Blues forward James Tamou lays an elbow on Nate Myles’ face. Thurston converts and is now the highest points scorer in Origin history. Qld up 4-0.
26th Minute: Qld still up 2-0. Blues get another penalty. That’s their fifth for the night. They’re on the attack 40m out.
22nd Minute: Good kick by Blues hooker Robbie Farrah pins Qld deep in their half. Some brutal hit out there. Qld still up 2-0. Natives getting restless at the scrum.
18th Minute: Even start for both teams. Neither side has the ascendancy yet. Blues just get a penalty for hand on the ball.
13th Minute: Qld takes the two points after receiving a penalty close to the posts. Thurston converts. Maroons up 2-0.
Tenth Minute: Game’s starting to heat up. Teams come together after Qld threaten the Blues line. Could be a bit of biff soon.
Seventh minute: Qld survive. Blues’ kick on last tackle is knocked over the dead-ball line. Qld working their way out of trouble.
Fifth Minute: Blues get a penalty for offside. Their turn to attack.
Third minute: The Maroons go close through Darius Boyd before a poor kick from Thurston sees them give away possession.
Second Minute: Qld earn an early penalty. Will be on the attack. What can they muster?
Kick-Off: State of Origin is underway! The Blues are receiving. Watch out for that first hit. It’s always a big one.
Pre-Game: Only a few minutes until kick-off. Both teams are about to run onto the field for the national anthem. More than 80,000 packed in at ANZ Stadium. It’s a sea of blue out there. NSW gets a massive roar when captain Paul Gallen leads them out.
