The NSW Blues have ended Queensland’s record-breaking run of eight State of Origin victories with a dramatic 6-4 win in front of more than 80,000 fans at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday night.
After taking out game one 12-8 at Suncorp Stadium three weeks ago, the Blues didn’t blow their chance to claim their first series since 2005. In a dramatic finale, the Maroons had one play to conjure a miracle after receiving a late penalty, but their desperate kick was fielded by Blues fullback Jarryd Hayne, who duly ran the ball dead to kick-start celebrations as the siren sounded.
As with most Origins, there was plenty of controversy and niggle. The game threatened to erupt on multiple occasions, but neither team lost a player to the sin-bin. In the end, a try to Trent Hodkinson proved the difference, the Blues playmaker crossing in the 72nd minute after his side hammered the Queensland line for five consecutive sets.
Before that the Maroons led 4-0 courtesy of two penalty goals to five-eighth Johnathan Thurston — his second kick making him the highest points scorer in Origin history.
But it wasn’t enough to get Queensland home.The Maroons’ normally potent attack couldn’t conjure a four-pointer in the 80 minutes, a combination of grim Blues defence and faulty execution thwarting them. Sam Thaiday came closest for Queensland early in the second half, but the Broncos second-rower had the ball knocked from his grasp by Hayne at the last moment.
The let-off proved costly for the Maroons, who will head to Suncorp Stadium on July 9 desperate to avoid a clean sweep. One player in doubt for the third match is Maroons winger Brent Tate, who hobbled off with a knee injury in the second half.
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