Battered forward Nate Myles didn’t quite know what to say after picking up his first State of Origin man-of-the-match award following Queensland’s controversial and fiery 18-10 win over New South Wales on Wednesday night.
While NSW were stewing over the first-half sin-binning of centre Michael Jennings and the match-winning try to Maroons star Greg Inglis, Myles was feeling somewhat awkward about being named the game’s best player in his 18th Origin.
“I’ve never won one before,” he said in a victorious dressing room not engaged in wild celebrations, knowing NSW will be even tougher in front of their fans in Origin II in Sydney next month.
“I didn’t notice too much on the field but I noticed the work of blokes like Ash Harrison, Petero (Civoniceva) and Matt Scott who hasn’t had much game time but was terrific for us again.
“The big boys were awesome for us again down the middle.
“It’s my first one (award) so I’ll take it.
“I’ve never won a man-of-the-match award ever, well, not since I was playing under-16s up in Cairns.”
The Queenslanders were not surprised to hear NSW were blowing up about Inglis’ late try.
Video referee Sean Hampstead took an eternity before awarding Inglis a try, ruling Blues’ hooker Robbie Farah had played at the ball with his foot.
Inglis didn’t deny fumbling the ball.
“It was pretty much pure luck,” Inglis said of his four-pointer that took him past Dale Shearer as Origin’s leading try-scorer with 13.
“I didn’t know the ruling on it.
“I knew I had fumbled it. I didn’t know the foot was underneath, to be honest.
“The last thing on my mind was the record.”
Teammate Brent Tate, who made an inspiring comeback to Origin after being out of the side since 2008, backed Hampstead’s call on the controversial play.
“I’d probably be saying the same thing if I was on the other side,” said Tate.
“But he played at the ball with his boot so that’s play on.
“I can see why they’re a bit cranky and you make your own luck at this level.”
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