2014 State of Origin Game 2 full time report: NSW 6-4 Queensland

By The Roar / Editor

The New South Wales Blues have claimed their first State of Origin series victory in nine years over the Queensland Maroons with the final score of 6-4 in Game 2.

Both teams enjoyed early opportunities, with Darius Boyd and Cameron Smith both going close for Queensland, while a bomb almost let NSW score.

>>State of Origin Game 2 half time report
>> 2014 State of Origin Game 2 live scores

The opening passages of play were fearsome and competitive, and after things threatened to boil over on a number of occasions, Johnathan Thurston opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a penalty goal.

There was plenty of niggle throughout the opening 20 minutes. This was highlighted by a penalty against Johnathan Thurston for a slap in the face to Beau Scott, and a few extra hand on the ball penalties from both site.

It was clear both sides wanted to gain early ascendency. Neither was giving an inch.

The game was punctuated by jersey holding, threatening gestures and frequent lectures from referee Ben Cummins to the players.

New South Wales had a mountain of possession in the middle section of the half, but were simply unable to capitalise on a slew of penalties that went their way.

A forearm to the face Johnathan Thurston from James Tamou saw Queensland take a 4-0 lead, with Johnathan Thurston becoming the highest point scorer in Origin history, overtaking another Queenslander Mal Meninga.

New South Wales showed more willingness to use the ball in the first half, but were unable to crack the Queensland defence, despite all that possession. A couple of fundamental errors cost them dearly, and the halves Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson didn’t throw too many different looks at Queensland.

On the other hand, the Maroons were content to keep the game fairly tight. The penalty count mounted against them, but they kept infringing, with referees Hayne and Cummins blowing penalty after penalty.

And while the Blues hit harder on a consistent basis than Queensland, the Maroons were resolute not allowing one line break from the Blues, keeping the Blues crowd right out of the game.

The best chance of a try came right at the end of the half, with Queensland centre Justin Hodges latching onto the end of a beautiful set play from Queensland, before Daly Cherry-Evans almost managed to kick for himself to score, only for Josh Reynolds’ boot to get there first.

The second half started in much more dynamic fashion than the first, with NSW showing some enterprise in attack. Blues half Trent Hodkinson sparking a play that almost led to a try, but only for Billy Slater to show up at precisely the right moment for the Maroons.

Neither side saw any reward initially, despite an increase in the number of slipped tackles and offloads. Both defences continued to prove resolute.

An interception from Greg Inglis looked to have changed that, with Queensland crashing over through Sam Thaiday in the 51st minute. But he was denied by a Jarryd Hayne hand that managed to dislodge the ball as the big lock crashed to the turf. It was a crucial play for NSW, keeping them in the game and preventing Queensland taking a 10-0 lead.

The loss of winger Brent Tate to a leg injury in the 54th minute was always going to prove a blow for the Maroons, being replaced by Chris McQueen.

NSW continued to squander chances given to them by the Maroons, with Bird spilling a great chance for possession on halfway, and Lewis doing the same, both from Reynolds inside passes. They didn’t play to Hayne as often as they did in Game 1, but with continued opportunities being gifted to them by the Maroons, they weren’t short of chances.

Hayne failed to get the opportunities he craved, and after five consecutive sets of six inside the Maroons’ 20 metre zone, Trent Hodkinson finally slipped through the defence of Queensland. He made no mistake with the conversion, and the Blues were in a 6-4 lead.

Then, perhaps the most controversial moment in the game. Aaron Woods left a kickoff from the Maroons, and watched it hit the dead ball line on the full. Replays showed the ball had grazed Woods’ chest, but the Blues took their penalty kick for the sideline quickly, allowing no time for video referee intervention.

More pushing, shoving and niggle ensued, as it had all night, with Johnathan Thurston thrusting a forearm in the face of Josh Reynolds, and a protracted scuffle involving almost all the players from both side.

Laurie Daley watched on with delight as NSW managed to hold off Queensland’s final charges, and clain their first Origin series victory in nine years.

[roar_cat_gal]

The Crowd Says:

2014-06-22T10:00:52+00:00

Hoops76

Guest


it does not matter if it was stripped.the ball must be regathered in both hands before being placed on or over the try line.clearly he did not.

2014-06-22T07:22:23+00:00

locky666

Guest


Couldn't agree with you more Jaeke. NSW imo were the instigators in the niggling department so desperate for a win so resort to their grubby tactics. So much hype after NSW, "cough, cough" ugly win. Don't get me started on Gould, painful listening to that man. Anyhow congratulations to QLD for being such great champions over the last 8 years. Can NSW pull that off, well that remains to be seen....

2014-06-19T10:17:29+00:00

Hoops76

Guest


Samoa is in QLD.Just like Bowraville.

2014-06-19T10:12:44+00:00

Hoops76

Guest


If ball is dislodged whilst scoring a try,ball must be regathered in both hands before forcing downward pressure,even if originally being carried in one hand,just ask Josh Dugan in an earlier game for the Dragons this year.

2014-06-19T00:39:43+00:00

Paul B

Guest


The great saviour DCE cost QLD the game. poor decision making on the line... under 14 stuff really.

2014-06-18T22:31:48+00:00

Tom

Guest


If you believe that then it should also have been a NSW penalty early on when Thaiday stripped the ball out from a loose Greg Bird carry.

2014-06-18T21:03:32+00:00

djcooper

Roar Guru


Well said jay c. Are you just sharading as a QLD supporter silver?

2014-06-18T16:50:52+00:00

Beardan Returns

Roar Rookie


Gallen trying to build up his stats as per usual.

2014-06-18T16:10:43+00:00

Robbo76

Guest


why are you the worst winner? look at what you wrote, and you have the temerity to criticise others? I think the Qlders have handled themselves pretty well as they must be so disappointed. Whilst NSW got the rub of the green in this series, i know that Qld did in previous series and i guess it is just evening up a little. Well done to NSW - tons of courage…pity that the refereeing and poor behaviour of both teams made this game one of the most boring to watch….

2014-06-18T15:30:33+00:00

Jono

Guest


"Benefit of the doubt" was taken out of the game before the start of last year, so it doesn't benefit anyone anymore.

2014-06-18T15:16:54+00:00

James

Guest


Greg Inglis must have enjoyed the victory on his home ground.

2014-06-18T15:09:22+00:00

Mick1985

Guest


Why are queenslanders the worst losers?? Thaiday did not regain control at all. His fat unfit frame just fell on it. If nsw had better halves and if gallen and bird did not take every ball nsw would of scored more tries. Queensland is finished as a force in SOO. No scott (fractured eye) no tate ( he probably thought his life was at risk). You don't have anybody else??? Good move picking Dave taylor, the coal train malfunctioned. Slater looked 45 years old. Thurston needs to retire from SOO he was shocking AGAIN!!! I hope mal picks and sticks hahaha

2014-06-18T14:56:42+00:00

Bee

Guest


You should take the Queensland players example post match. They had their chances. Thems the breaks you can't say that Queensland haven't had their share of bad calls or lucky breaks in holding their streak. I've felt the reffing in league had been bad for a long time but tonight's match was better calls wise. Too many penalties make for an unbalanced game but yeah really niggly tonight. NSW could have easily lost if Queensland made less errors in the second half. Heart in mouth again. Proud if the NSW boys this year as last year. Many other years we didn't have the nerve. And we still need some smarter players. Glad Mitchell Pearce is gone

2014-06-18T14:54:30+00:00

Johnk

Guest


It was a blues win at the end of the day JayC you just have to take it on the chin

2014-06-18T14:42:28+00:00

Rumpy

Guest


All this needs is a rant from Oikee

2014-06-18T14:38:22+00:00

Johnk

Guest


Congrats NSW! An ugly win but a win nonetheless.

2014-06-18T14:35:04+00:00

Sideline Comm.

Guest


Great we won. Pretty average game. That first half was hardly an advertisement for our great game. Queensland instigated an ugly game to stop the Blues using the ball like in game 1 (as Smith said in the press conference). Luckily NSW pulled off ugly win. Never seen Thurston as grubby as he was in that game. He just looked angry from the get go.

2014-06-18T14:24:00+00:00

parrafan

Guest


God it is good to be on the other side. 8 series wins with a couple of atrocious calls against the blues. Hodges Shepard try, inglis knock on try. The rub of the green went NSW way tonight. You might have to try the well worn nsw line of better luck next year.

2014-06-18T14:07:30+00:00

Paul B

Guest


Qld fans are always going to whine about a result that goes against them... they even whine about the opposition when they win.

2014-06-18T14:03:19+00:00

mill

Guest


You try to say congrats and act as though you are being humble and gracious in defeat yet you sook and carry on about a whole bunch of stuff. And I'll direct as many comments as I want at you I don't care if you like it or not. Keep whinging and sooking QLDer, GO THE BLUES!!!!

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