NSW finally have their State of Origin hero and the hope they can end Queensland’s six-year dominance after Todd Carney sparked a 16-12 game two win on Wednesday night to set up a series decider.
With the weight of a state placed upon his shoulders, Carney’s Origin moment arrived after a forgettable debut – the Blues thrilling the 83,110 fans packed into ANZ Stadium with a brutal display to level the series at 1-all ahead of game three on July 4.
Relive the key moments from the match here
Carney was one of several heroes for the Blues, with Robbie Farah coming up with a colossal 64 tackles while skipper Paul Gallen’s effort on one knee was inspirational.
The Maroons battled bravely in spite of a wretched run of injuries, Corey Parker an early casualty with an ugly leg gash while Billy Slater and Brent Tate hobbled for much of the game.
With his side given the benefit of a one-man advantage after Cooper Cronk was sin-binned for denying Carney an opportunity to score, the Blues five-eighth hit the go button to change the match irrevocably.
Having just booted a penalty to lock it up at 6-all, Carney brushed through an Ashley Harrison tackle on his own 20-metre line before finding Brett Stewart in support for his second try of the night.
Four minutes later it was 16-6 to the Blues, Jarryd Hayne cleverly kicking the ball ahead after being stripped by Johnathan Thurston to complete a mesmerising spell for the home side.
Just as NSW did in Origin I when Michael Jennings was spelled for ten minutes, the Maroons paid dearly for Cronk’s binning, his decision to deny Carney a near certain six points instead becoming 12 by the time he returned.
Cronk did his best to make amends with a brilliant kick-chase on his return which secured a repeat set for the Maroons, and then almost like clockwork, Queensland started up their late charge.
Two straight sets were repelled by the Blues but a third was beyond them, Darius Boyd tapping back a Thurston bomb for Greg Inglis to stretch his Origin record tally to 14 tries.
It looked like the Maroons had broken NSW hearts when Brent Tate leapt highest to reel in a bomb in the corner, but just as he seemed set to fall over and score Jennings arrived to tap the ball out of his grasp.
The Blues had already had the life punched out of them on the stroke of halftime when after a spirited opening stanza they went to the sheds trailing when Ben Hannant scored a minute before the break.
Stewart’s 25th-minute try seemed scant reward for NSW’s dominance of the opening period after Akuila Uate inexplicably allowed a bomb to bounce near his line and Boyd tapped back for Harrison to feed Hannant who dived over under the posts.
Mac
Guest
Carney was involved in the runaround play to put B Stewart over for his first try and broke the line to put him in again for his second. He put that lovely kick over Slater's head which lead to him going over the side line and also put himself in a position to chase a Mitch Pearce grubber that lead to Cronks sin binning and a period of 12 points in three minutes for the Blues. His defense was solid and his clearing kicks were par. To suggest he did one good thing is way off the mark..
Mac
Guest
Thanks for that MC, glad you felt the need to jump in. My point was that singling Carney out when the article mentioned him as one of several heroes for NSW was unfair. Maybe I didn't articulate my point very well but appreciate that you took the opportunity to have a swipe..
Mark Brisbane
Guest
Despite the result, that was a great game. Thurston had a really average game... should they consider switching him back to number 7?
Craigie
Guest
Taters should have scored. Too many errors from qld and civo was disappointing.
Renegade
Guest
I thought Carney played well....it was a massive thing that he did do and his defence was upto the task as QLD ran at him quite a lot. His goal kicking is still a worry though. Bird deserved MOM, he typifies the NSW passion as much as Gallen does. He put 150% into every hitup and tackle last night. Farah was great as well, yeah he made 64 tackles but still not as good as Bird's efforts in the game. I'm still not convinced about Mitchell Pearce, his 5 games into his Origin career and is yet to dominate as a number 7. Our Bench still needs more impact as well....Merrin and Creagh offered very little.
Mal
Guest
As a Queenslander I was embarassed to read The Courier Mail coverage of last night's game. They called Cronk's binning "controversial". In no way can I agree with those articles. NSW were better on the night and must be congratulated on a brilliant defensive effort. Still, it was a pleasure to see the Queensland machine kick into gear in the middle of the second half and give some hope of a comeback.
Michael/Brisbane
Guest
I didn't see the kick at the time, but if that's the case than fair enough. Anyway this sets up another epic encounter in 3 weeks time, can't wait'
Meesta Cool
Guest
Sorrty Michael, the call was correct, the ball hit haynes leg before it bounced away, classed as a kick!... flukey, but a fair call.
Queensland's Game Is Rugby League
Guest
NSW deserved the victory. Their defence was outstanding. The way they came up and in on Cronk and Thurston all night nullified Inglis, Tate, Boyd and Slater. Ricky Stuart has to be credited for making it the team's main focus. Too many cheap turnovers from Queensland cost them. I recall Scott, Harrison, Myles, Thurston and Hodges making unforced errors when Queensland were in NSW's half. Petero has been a liability this series. Queensland should drop him for the 3rd match. He might have had a greater career, but no player is bigger than the team.
Meesta Cool
Guest
Hey Hoy, just maybe, he doesn't comprehend other peoples intelligence. sometimes it pays to shake your head and walk away from a comment!..
Mac
Guest
You did. He did spark the match winning try as stated in the article, but was hardly THE "hero" as you put it...
Hoy
Roar Guru
Sorry Mac. I must have mis-read the very first paragraph or something.
Mac
Guest
Mac
Guest
Yea, and no one said Carney was a hero
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
In my opinion, they were both tries.
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
A reply to a few of your thoughts, Hoy: Carney did one good thing, but it was a very good thing! He went missing late, apart from one good clearing kick, I think. Slater did a few good things and quite a few bad things, but the Blues definitely gave him plenty to think about. I think the Blues kicking game is still hit-and-miss, but the chase tonight was fantastic. I think the refs calls were 50-50 tonight, i.e. there were shockers both ways, unfortunately.
Shungmao
Guest
Morris had a cracker, but hast Uate lost some confidence ..... Farrar awesome tackling but it felt very Dallas Johnson like, impressive numbers but so what, I know this sounds harsh but I hope roarers understand what I mean. Bird MOM very surprising. Thought Luke Lewis was inspirational .
Hoy
Roar Guru
Did you even read the article Mac? Thanks for the blah blah blah. NSW were the better team this game. But they only just won. As I said, NSW on the surge now.
Michael/Brisbane
Guest
Let me preface this by saying NSW were the better team and deserved to win.. But How on earth was that a try to Morris? You blokes carried on and on, And on and on about the Inglis try, yet I bet not a word will be spoken about Morris. Oh well, lap it up, cya in 3 weeks.
Shungmao
Guest
Carney = hero please....... Well done blues, you will go close in Brisbane. Looking forward to less Ricky and Mal show in the next 3 weeks, but more focus on what will be a cracker game 3