It has been a four year period which has eaten at the fabric of Origin football in NSW, but in the midst of the doom and gloom, the Blues ended up having the last say in this year’s series.
With their spirited 28-16 win against the Maroons, they may have finally triggered an avalanche of future success south of the border.
After Queensland became the first side in Origin history to attain four consecutive series victories, the Maroons made it their objective to rub salt into a NSW wound that has arguably become the most painful to bare in Blues history.
That pain, however, received a welcome boost when NSW produced one of its gutsiest displays in living memory to upset the Maroons in the cauldron of Origin football.
After a dreadful start, which saw QLD lock Dallas Johnson score his maiden Origin try, the Blues kept their composure and chanced an offensive arm that was barely used in Melbourne and Sydney.
Although their lack of adventure with the football in hand cost them the series, it proved to be better late than never in Origin 3, as the Blues started running QLD ragged in their own backyard.
Blues halves Trent Barrett and Brett Kimmorley combined well alongside new hooker Michael Ennis – a sight that will no doubt provide some much needed relief for NSW selectors.
Their constructive passing games allowed NSW’s young backline to register enough ball to build their attacking confidence.
Blues newcomers Michael Jennings and Josh Morris benefitted immensely from the service of Barrett and company, with the latter scoring a try thanks to Barrett’s offload.
Although they are yet to rival the match winning effects of Maroon stars Israel Folau and Greg Inglis, there were certainly signs that both Morris and Jennings will play integral parts in NSW’s future success.
Blues second rower Anthony Watmough was also a revelation for NSW, earning the Channel Nine man of the match award for his standout effort in Origin 3.
Watmough made 26 tackles and broke the Maroons line on numerous occasions to constantly put the home side on the back foot.
His partner in crime Ben Creagh also tormented the Maroons, scoring two tries and making constant inroads on the fringes for the Blues.
Overall, NSW should be commended for coming out the other side of what has been a dreaded period in their Origin history.
The seventeen that did the job on Wednesday night have given themselves the best chance of providing redemption to a Blues jersey that is just starting to make amends for four years of QLD torture.
New coach Michael Maguire is considering as many as 50 players for the State of Origin series opener with not even captain James Tedesco…
Queensland often has the right mix of generational talent, playmaking brilliance and these nuts-and-bolts players that bind them together like glue.
Despite a poor season by his own high standards, Latrell Mitchell is still a chance to force his way into the NSW team for…
Michael Maguire is saying all the right things about how he wants to guide NSW back to State of Origin supremacy but the inescapable…
Wayde Egan's rise to star hooker status at the Warriors should earn him a place in conversation to play at No.9 for NSW in…
Hilton Cartwright and Joel Paris have powered Western Australia to a five-wicket win over NSW in the one-day cup final, securing a historic third…
