State of Origin 2012 Game 3 Half-time score: QLD 16-8 NSW

 

Roar Guru

By The Roar, 4 Jul 2012

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 NRL, Rugby League, State Of Origin, State of Origin 2012

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An irrepressible Queensland appears set to continue its State of Origin dynasty with the Maroons holding a 16-8 lead at half time in Brisbane.

After absorbing an early New South Wales barrage, the Maroons flicked the switch and demonstrated just why they are the six-time defending champions in the seething cauldron of red at Suncorp Stadium.

A predictably fiery opening saw penalties conceded and punches thrown before 90 seconds had even elapsed, with Paul Gallen and Brent Tate likely to face scrutiny for a pair of vicious high shots.

The visitors hit the board first via a Todd Carney penalty goal, Ricky Stuart indicating his strategy to take guaranteed points by holding two fingers aloft without hesitation.

The Blues found more reward for their sustained pressure just four minutes thereafter when Brett Morris outmuscled Sam Thaiday to score the game’s first try.

Perhaps starting to sense their dynasty ebbing away, Queensland hit back through Darius Boyd.

The Maroons took advantage of the field position gifted by a Blues penalty as Johnathan Thurston fired a bullet cut-out pass to Boyd who crossed in the left corner.

Thurston was involved again on the half hour mark, pulling the strings in his own end to set his team mates away before brilliantly running the length of the field to receive the final pass and score next to the posts.

Justin Hodges added to the Blues’ misery, scoring a third for the home side in the shadows of half time as a Thurston conversion added to his tally where tonight he became Queensland’s second highest point-scorer.

After an 0-8 start, the Maroons scored 16 unanswered points to wrest control of the series decider and put themselves well and truly in the box seat for a seventh consecutive Origin triumph.

> Listen to the half-time highlights here.

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