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Blue wall crumbles, Queensland win Origin 32-8

9th July, 2014
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The “blue wall” finally crumbled as Queensland showed their true colours, avoiding their first whitewash since 2000 by claiming a rousing 32-8 State of Origin Game III win on Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium.

NSW initially showed how they had earned their nickname from Queensland coach and inaugural Maroon Mal Meninga, who rated them one of Origin’s best defences.

But instead of ensuring NSW’s first “blue rinse” since 2000, the defence cracked as Queensland finally flexed the attacking muscle that had earned them a record eight-year unbeaten run.

In a match that featured a classic Origin “mate against mate” battle between Greg Bird and Nate Myles, Queensland ensured mixed feelings for NSW captain and Wally Lewis Medal winner Paul Gallen when he finally lifted the interstate trophy.

“I hope you enjoy this as much as I do – this is for the five million people back in NSW,” Gallen screamed with the trophy aloft.

Blues coach Laurie Daley added: “Before the series, not too much would have given us a chance but this group believe in themselves – to win is pretty surreal.”

On a night Queensland looked back fondly at the past, the Maroons showed they still had a bright future.

“It is bittersweet. But it is nice to play some footy in front of our fans – it showed they still have a lot of pride in the jersey,” Meninga said.

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Queensland were determined to toast their heroes no matter the result on Wednesday night after organising a halftime tribute to the players who had inspired their record unbeaten run.

But instead of crying into their beers, the Maroons’ faithful raised their glasses again after Queensland avoided a rare whitewash in a sign the once all-conquering side might not be a spent force just yet.

“There has been a lot of talk about our dynasty being over but, hopefully, this is a step in the right direction and we can be back bigger and better next year,” Queensland captain Cameron Smith said.

The match’s intensity was summed up Myles’ second-half feud with NSW forward and Gold Coast teammate Bird.

Bird appeared fortunate not to be placed on report for a dangerous throw on Myles that led to Johnathan Thurston’s 60th-minute penalty that blew Queensland’s lead out to 14-2.

But moments later, Myles was booked for leading with the elbow after making contact with Bird’s throat, leaving him gasping for air on the ground.

From the ensuing penalty, NSW crossed for a Josh Dugan try despite a hint of obstruction to cut the deficit to 14-8.

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However, Thurston – in his 30th straight Origin – set up winger Darius Boyd to cross in the 71st minute, equalling teammate Greg Inglis’ interstate record of 15 four-pointers.

Aidan Guerra (74th) and Cooper Cronk – back six weeks after breaking his arm – crossed (78th) to kick off the Maroons’ after-party.

Queensland led 6-2 at halftime after NSW’s relentless defence finally cracked.

The Blues broke the ice when Maroon Ben Te’o was placed on report for a high shot on Trent Hodkinson before the Blues’ No.7 recovered to pot over a 24th-minute penalty.

Momentum appeared to shift after Blues pivot Josh Reynolds was placed on report for a 33rd-minute shoulder charge on rookie Maroons winger Will Chambers.

Four minutes later, bench utility Daly Cherry-Evans set up Smith to score.

Maroons back-rower Corey Parker was named man of the match in front of 50,155.

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Reynolds could miss four weeks and three games with an early plea after being charged with a grade-two shoulder charge.

Bird might miss two games for a grade-one dangerous throw but Myles can escape suspension with an early plea for a grade-one dangerous contact charge.

Te’o will miss a week after being slapped with a grade-one dangerous contact charge.

Highlights from the Game III State of Origin clash between NSW and Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
6th minute: Maroons centre Greg Inglis looks certain to score but desperate defence forces him to lose the ball over the line

15 min: The video referees deny Queensland back-rower Aidan Guerra a try, ruling that Johnathan Thurston was offside from a Cooper Cronk kick

23 min: Ben Te’o is penalised for a high shot on Trent Hodkinson after the NSW halfback had launched a bomb

24 min: Hodkinson kicks a penalty goal. NSW 2, QLD 0

28 min: NSW winger Daniel Tupou bats dead a Cronk grubber to prevent Maroons winger Will Chambers scoring a try

30 min: Superb defence from NSW second-rower Beau Scott, who holds up winger Darius Boyd over the line

32 min: The brick-wall Blues hang on again, with Inglis held up over the line

33 min: NSW five-eighth Josh Reynolds placed on report for a shoulder charge on Chambers

38 min: Daly Cherry-Evans makes a break and grubbers ahead for Maroons hooker Cameron Smith to score near the posts. Thurston adds the extras

HALFTIME: QLD 6, NSW 2

44 min: Maroons fullback Billy Slater scores his 12th Origin try, running on to a flat ball from Justin Hodges and stepping his way to the line. Thurston converts. QLD 12, NSW 2

47 min: Thurston blows a try when he opts to dummy and go himself rather than pass to his support players. The five-eighth is pulled down just short of the line on the last tackle

59 min: Blues enforcer Greg Bird is put on report for a dangerous lifting tackle on Gold Coast teammate Nate Myles

60 min: Thurston converts the penalty from in front. QLD 14, NSW 2

61 min: Myles is placed on report for a raised forearm to the head of Bird. In the next set, Blues centre Josh Dugan scores a try off a well-executed sweeping backline movement

62 min: Hodkinson nails the conversion. QLD 14, NSW 8

71 min: Boyd scores a crucial try on the left wing after flying on to a Thurston cut-out ball

72 min: Thurston lands the conversion from out wide. QLD 20, NSW 8

74 min: Guerra steams on to a Justin Hodges ball and spins out of an attempted Reynolds tackle to score the match-winning try

76 min: Thurston again nails the conversion from near the sideline. QLD 26, NSW 8

78 min: Cronk puts the icing on the cake, backing up a Guerra break to score near the posts

80 min: Thurston adds two points as the Maroons prevent a “Blue Rinse”, losing the series 2-1

FULLTIME: QLD 32, NSW 8

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