More tears than tries in great NSW victory

Trent Hodginson’s career-defining moment at ANZ Stadium last night ended the NSW Blues’ eight-year Origin drought.

With just seven minutes left on the clock, Hodkinson dummied left and veered right to touch down to make it 4-all.

As you would expect of an 82 per cent goal-kicker for the Bulldogs, Hodkinson landed the conversion for the 6-4 victory.

The sea of blue erupted in a record crowd of 83,421 at ANZ, especially the 17,000 “Blatchy Blues” fanatical supporter group with their blue wigs and clothing. Not to be outdone so did the Sydney Harbour Bridge neon-lighted in blue erupt with a spectacular fireworks display.

Eight years is a record Origin dominance. Only Luke Lewis in 2004 as a winger, and Anthony Watmough in 2005, have ever tasted NSW Origin series success.

It’s been a long time between drinks.

Last night’s defence by both sides was as brutal as has ever been seen in Origin football. It would be more accurate to describe it as DEFENCE.

It reminded me of the infamous “softening up process” of the 50s and 60s with the likes of Noel Kelly, Rex Mossop, Harry Bath, Billy Wilson, Kevin Ryan, John Sattler, Johnny Raper, and Artie Beetson up front, with Peter Dimond, and Harry Wells among the backs.

None of them took any prisoners, and last night was more of the same.

Queensland came close to scoring two tries through Sam Thaiday and Daly Cherry-Evans, but they had to settle for just two Johnathan Thurston goals.

Those four points gave Thurston the honour of being the new points-scoring record-holder for Origin with 162 from 29 consecutive games, eclipsing his coach Mal Meninga’s 161 from 32.

The record was one of the few bright moments for the Maroons.

Their attacking brilliance from Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Thurston, skipper Cameron Smith. and Cherry-Evans was cut off at the pass by resolute bone-shaking defence by NSW..

And Queensland did likewise to Blues playmakers Jarryd Hayne and Michael Jennings.

Impasse.

But anyone who didn’t rate last night because only one try was scored will be hard to please.

It was 80 minutes of total commitment by two dedicated sides.

Three players – Watmough, Josh Reynolds, and Thurston were put on report – and Watmough charged for a dangerous throw on Nate Myles, totally uncalled for from a genuinely great NSW forward. Late in the game Reynolds head-butted Thurston, and Thurston rubbed his forearm in Reynolds’ face after tackling him to the ground, but both escaped judiciary charges.

Last night was not the best birthday presents for Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, both born on the same day. Their 31st won’t be remembered with any joy.

Nor will yet another serious leg injury for long-serving Queensland winger Brent Tate. One has to feel for his rotten run of bad luck over a long period.

So the Queensland dominance is over, but don’t think for one minute the third Origin in three weeks back at Suncorp will be a dead rubber.

NSW want to make a statement with a clean sweep, and Queensland will most definitely want to avoid the humiliation of a whitewash.

So well played Laurie Daley and his blue troops, they deserved the victory.

As Daley said – “I was really proud of them in Origin 1, but I’m even more proud of them tonight, we were on the back foot all night, and won through”.

There were many quotes after full time. But from the NSW point of view, most were through buckets of tears.

And what else would you expect after an emotion-charged 80 minutes.