Is there anything Jarryd Hayne cannot do? The superstar Blues snatched the game from Queensland’s grasp and put his name on State of Origin and Australian rugby league history with one single act.
Hayne’s tears of joy summed up his Origin career’s frustrations – eight years is a long time without a series win. But, after regaining his place in the Australian team last year and recovering his best career form with the Eels and now with New South Wales, it was only fitting that he provided the match-winning – and match-saving – play last night.
Queensland’s Sam Thaiday was over the line, which would have made the score 8-0 and probably 10-0 after the conversion.
Hayne’s act of knocking the ball out of Thaiday’s hands when the back-rower was almost certain to score screamed determination and a never-give-up attitude.
The mainly pro-Blues crowd was stunned. But when the no-try was awarded, Hayne didn’t celebrate wildly. There was a calm, measured response. He is operating at the level only a select few get to in their careers, where acts of brilliance and match-turning input happen as a matter of course.
It might only last for a few games, or for a season but Hayne is in this zone. Like his run in 2009, everything he touched turned to gold. This act won NSW the game. He believed, he knew what needed to be done and he delivered.
New South Wales are series winners. Say it again slowly. Hail Trent Hodkinson with his try, hail Paul Gallen’s mighty performance up front and if you are a Queensland fan, hail a bus because you are going away with nothing.
Finally, New South Wales’ supporters get to celebrate a unique milestone of their own. Let’s also remember the day that Hayne created his own Origin legend.
Kaks
Guest
In that case, Hayne must be brothers with Justin "Grab the tacklers arm in every tackle and wait for a penalty" Hodges, but they were separated at birth.
Roarsome
Guest
at least channel 9 didn't replay the mortimer footage from '85
Albatross
Guest
Apparently it's only because his eyes are so close together they sometimes water. That's what his mummy reckons anyway.. She should know.
WQ
Guest
Pity he cried like a baby!
andrew77
Guest
Hayne is the obvious man of the series no matter what happens in game three. He won game 1 and saved game 2 with his thaiday tackle. He has owned all the origin moments
Mark
Guest
Bit hard to have a knock on when it goes backward!
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Thaiday did not regain control of the ball and ground it so it's no try no matter how you look at it.
Johnno
Guest
Hayne is on his way to being the best player ever in rugby league. Future immortal and on his way to being the best rugby league player ever. Better than Dally Messanger,Clive Churchill. Wally Lewis,John Raper,Joey Johns.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
It was absolutely brilliant! What an image - the Hayne Plane standing on the fence, arms outstretched, in front of a sea of fans in blue. Iconic stuff. I'll never forget it.
johnash
Guest
A player like jarryd hayne will get his haters because of jealousy but the fact is he is the current king of origin. 4 wins from the last 5 origin games he has played. He is a match winner. He saved a try in the first half tackling hodges then ran back and bumped cherry evans off the ball which gave Reynolds enough time to kick it out. Then saved the game with his tackle on thaiday. Not to mention 144 metres and safe as a bank under the high ball. Hail the king of origin.
blackstar
Guest
It would of been fitting if hayne would of run into the arms of the other hayne ,and embraced into tears of joy with blue fire works in the background now that would of been fitting end.
MAX
Guest
Thank you Dogs of War, Consider this: Imagine it was Canterbury in a GF and the same situation arose. I simply want to know which rule is a referee relying upon to cross the arms and give the opinion of no try in the same or similar situation. Canterbury are the #1 priority on my sporting calendar. I would like to see them well versed in how to handle the situation be it attacker or defender. Mr Hayne seemed influenced by erudite defenders and as he will probably have the centre on GF day it is imperative the Bulldogs be prepared.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Why would I be jealous of Hayne? I would think at 31 any daydreams of an NRL career (not that there ever were any) are long since departed, haha. Just an observation, although from what Dogs has said and others I’m probably being a bit harsh on him. I’ll go back to the AFL, Origin season is about the only time I take a gander at league anymore these days.
Parrafan
Guest
Lol Paul jeaslousy is a curse. When interviewed Hayne said he was tossing up whether to kick the ball out but decided to run and celebrate with the fans as they've had to suffer as much as the boys on the paddock. Considering his leadership in making sure no fists were thrown I think you are completely wrong.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
It did get sent upstairs, the issue is that the ref on the field called no-try, so it requires indisputable evidence to the contrary to overule it. I don't believe that existed. If the ref ruled try, I have no doubt it would have been called a try.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
It's not like the rest of the boys didn't come over to celebrate. I was sitting in that section and when Hayne came over to finish the game the batchys went crazy!
Paul B
Guest
When Thaiday crossed, my immediate thought was the game was gone for the Blues. Could not believe it when the replay showed that Hayne had forced him to lose control of the ball. Hayne is a freak. Single handedly won Origin 1 and saved Origin 2 in that one act. Likewise for Reynolds who prevented a certain 4 pointer for DCE.
MAX
Guest
Hi Andrew, Rules clarification request. Because it will happen again. ( The Canterbury quartet delivered ++++) If one or more defenders in the process of tackling a ball carrying attacker loosens the ball momentarily but not completely from the control of the attacker who then regains total control of the ball and grounds it correctly in the the process of scoring a try; why is it not a try? Different rules for single or multiple? What are the rights of players for such an incident (s) to be sent to the video referee for adjudication.
hindsight
Guest
is his father a dairy farmer? because he is the biggest penalty milker bar none!
Charles NSW
Guest
I thought it finished the game nicely. He took it up to the fans and said here it is we did it! True Blue what a legend.