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State of Origin Game 2 moments: First half

Robbie Farah is no stranger to rough play. (Photo: AAP)
Editor
18th June, 2014
1

It’s not moments that win Origin games – it’s Origin moments. So what were the moments which can only be described with a capital ‘O’ for Origin in the first half?

10th minute – Johnathan Thurston gets handsy
Beau Scott stands to play the ball on his goal-line after a bit of push-and-shove. After the big men have acted out how tough they are – without anyone actually hitting anyone – Queensland’s Thurston, one of the smallest men on the field, gives Scott an open-handed tap to the cheek.

One of the other smallest men on the field, Josh Reynolds, isn’t standing for it and barges through, apparently ready to slap right back. Then everyone wants a piece of it.

11th minute – Paul Gallen loses possession
Seemingly a little rattled by all the slapping, Paul Gallen slaps away the ball into Queensland’s possession.

Soon the Maroons are attacking the NSW half, with Daly Cherry-Evans showing his weak knee is all better, springing to his feet after being knocked down in a tackle.

Aiden Guerra attracts a penalty and Thurston slots the first points of the match.

Queensland 2-0.

27th minute – Thurston intercept
On the back of a penalty, NSW were on the Queensland 40 metre line and early in the tackle count, when a lazy pop pass was intercepted by Thurston. Though he was rapped up before too much damage could be done the momentum shifted and Queensland got a role on.

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The fourth tackle of Queensland’s set saw Robbie Farah carry on with a tackle which ref Shayne Hayne had ruled complete and Queensland received a penalty (after a bit of obligatory argy-bargy of course).

Two points on the board thanks to the man who took the intercept.

Queensland 4-0.

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33rd minute – Hopoate goes into touch
One of NSW’s best attacking opportunities of the half saw a sweeping backline movement end with right winger Will Hopoate barrelled into touch 10 metres from the try line by a sea of maroon.

35ht minute – ____ incorrect play the ball
On the fifth tackle and in the dead centre of the field, ____ failed to play the ball correctly, giving NSW the scrum feed rather than being forced to return a kick from their try line.

The Blues played out the set and put the ball in the air on the fifth, which was easily defused by Maroon winger Brent Tate, another scoring opportunity seemingly going begging.

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Queensland 4-0.

38th minute
Justin Hodges makes a break deep in the NSW half, only to be dragged down by the last line of defence, Jarryd Hayne.

Hodges jumped to his feet for a quick play the ball to Daly Cherry-Evans, who scampered past NSW’s reforming defensive line before putting a grubber over the Blues’ try line. A scrambling Josh Reynolds got his boot to the ball just before Cherry-Evans’ hand, averting what would have surely been 6 points to Queensland.

A NSW line drop-out was shortly followed by the half-time whistle.

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