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Queensland dominated State of Origin II from the moment debutant Darius Boyd crossed for the first of his two tries in just the sixth minute.
But two crucial calls from the match officials ended any chance of a NSW comeback from a 16-0 halftime deficit in front of a rabid Brisbane crowd.
The first came in the 53rd minute, when Maroons substitute Ben Hannant carried the ball to within 20 metres of the line before being monstered by Willie Mason, public enemy No.1 north of the Tweed.
As the Roosters forward came over the top the ball came loose, and referee Tony Archer ruled a knock-on.
Video referees Tim Mander and Bill Harrigan correctly ruled Mason had raked the ball free in a two-man tackle, much to the joy of the crowd.
NSW captain Danny Buderus questioned the decision, as his teammates slumped back to watch Johnathan Thurston continue his golden night with the boot, successfully slotting a third straight penalty.
While some may have questioned the tactic given the home side’s momentum, the two points sent the score to 18-0. NSW now had to score three tries just to draw level.
There was plenty of time, but in just under an hour of play they hadn’t looked like scoring.
After the game Blues coach Craig Bellamy said the three penalty goals extending Queensland’s lead from 12 to 18 nil was unheard of in Origin footy, and caused his team to panic.
Ten minutes later, they were put out of their misery.
Melbourne Storm sensation Folau had just exploded into the game with a break down field, sending the Queenslanders on yet another attacking raid.
Hannant was involved again, getting a short ball close to the line and burrowing over with at least two Blues players desperately trying to wrap up the ball.
Archer was on the spot, but referred the decision to the men upstairs.
Hannant didn’t give any real clues as he was slapped on the back by his teammates, and both sides gathered near the tryline, intently watching the replays on the big screen.
None were conclusive.
Not surprisingly, Mander and Harrigan opted for the ref’s call, which saw Archer quickly point to the spot.
Twenty-two nil, kick to come.
Game over.
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