A tremendous last-minute James Tedesco try has sealed the Blues’ second-straight Origin win, New South Wales winning the 2019 series after a 26-20 Game 3 win.
Despite a late Queensland surge which looked to have sent the decider into extra-time, Tedesco was able to capitalise on a tiptoed break down the right touchline from Blake Ferguson – started by Mitchell Pearce – crossing in the corner to seal an unforgettable win.
More Origin 3
» NSW Blues player ratings
» Queensland Maroons player ratings
» WATCH: Match highlights as Blues seal epic series
» WATCH: James Tedesco ices victory with last-play winner
» WATCH: Kaufusi scores first try of Origin 3
Earlier, the Maroons were comfortably the better side in the first half, Cameron Munster enjoying the freedom which comes with playing at fullback and Corey Norman looking comfortable in his Origin debut.
And while the Blues opened the scoring with an early penalty, Queensland crossed for the first try of the night. Daly Cherry-Evans combined with Norman before the latter put through a perfect grubber which Felis Kaufusi couldn’t help but score from.
The visitors continued to enjoy better field position than the hosts, and stretched the scoreline to 8-2 on the back of an Ethan Lowe penalty goal. But a bit of James Tedesco magic helped the Blues grab their first try before halftime.
The New South Wales fullback surged up the left-hand flank after a poor kick from Ben Hunt, and Paul Vaughan was able to crash over from close range after a couple of penalties following the Tedesco break.
The score stayed locked at eight-all at half-time after a Cherry-Evans field goal attempt drifted wide with seconds left in the half.
The second half started on a sour note for the Maroons when Michael Morgan, who came off the bench around 20 minutes into the game, was forced from the ground after a sickening head knock with Josh McGuire’s elbow. And the news got worse for Queensland when Tedesco burst over in the corner straight after, James Maloney extending the lead to 14-8 by nailing the sideline conversion.
The try marked a noticeable shift in momentum in favour of the Blues. A couple of one-on-one strips deep in Queensland’s red zone didn’t lead to more points, but the sell-out crowd didn’t have to wait much longer for another try. Damien Cook sniped out of dummy half, and the hooker’s speed and footwork were far too much for Munster to stop.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
A 12-point lead should have been extended even further when Cameron Murray couldn’t find any support after breaking through the middle of the field, and NSW started to show a few nerves with a series victory in sight.
Maloney tried to force a kick out wide when the option wasn’t quite there and knocked on soon after on the attack, and Jack Wighton couldn’t control the ball when a try-scoring opportunity presented itself down the right touchline.
Those lost chances proved vital. With nine minutes left, Josh McGuire powered over the line, the Bunker awarding the try despite some admittedly hopeful complaints about a double movement. And it was all square five minutes later when Lowe charged down a Maloney kick, giving Queensland the perfect platform to start their set 30 metres out. Four tackles later, Cherry-Evans put Josh Papalii over, and Lowe converted without any trouble.
But with a drawn match – and the extra time which comes with it – looming, NSW managed to break down the field, allowing Tedesco to win the series with his late try.
The star fullback was comfortably the best afield, playing a crucial role in the Blues’ only first-half try and scoring two himself, and was rightly rewarded for his efforts in all three games by being awarded the Wally Lewis medal for player of the series.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
You're welcome champ, any time. Just a diehard blues fan who doesn't believe mediocrity deserves continued support.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Cheers Tiger. I got the theory of his post, but disagreed wholeheartedly with what he was saying. Have a good day bucko.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
The credit went to the likes of Tedesco, Cook and Murray who starred. Pearce did well, he didn't kick the ball to Slater once! Only kicked to Munster this time. He didn't make silly errors though so definitely an improvement from the lad.
matth
Roar Guru
Well it was a bizarre game. The first and second halves were completely different. After the refs penalized everyone in the first half they disappeared and we end up with a second half that played to NSW’s strengths. The speed and footwork of guys like Cook, Tedesco and Murray up against a badly fatiguing pack. And then somehow it wasn’t all over after all. And the suddenly it was. An absolute white knuckle roller coaster of a final 15 minutes. The tables have turned. It’s now NSW who have that tiny bit of extra class to ice a game at the death, with the likes o Tommy T and Tedesco. But more than class it’s speed.
Mitcher
Guest
Can’t believe you just champed someone champ. As you completely missed the point of his post. On ya buddy champ kiddo.
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
all that pain for so many years just makes another series win so sweet...just home from the bar after buying a round for everyone. Money well spent. though the missus might not agree tomorrow
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Fantastic game - the Maroons showed how much ticker they have by drawing level with two minutes to go - the match looked certain to go into injury time - and then that great try to NSW started by a Mitchell Pearce speculator out wide and finished off by Ferguson and Teddy was a fitting end to a great match. And just when I'm thinking rugby league is the greatest game of all I switch on the World Cup semi-final and its a nail biter right down to the final over with amazing batting from Jadeja in particular. Well done to the Kiwis - amazing effort to defend a score of 240. Got to love sport played at this level. Its going to be hard to get to sleep after all this excitement.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, second half Maloney was an anchor around the Blues throats..
Peter
Guest
Thanks for the “champ”, champ. I gather you’re another diehard all-Pearce’s-fault and no credit kinda guy. Enjoy.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Next stop merge Easts and Souths and call the new club THE ROOSTERS
Superspud
Roar Rookie
NSW dodged a bullet with Simms being suspended. No criticism against Simms but the Blues needed Klemmer in that side.
matth
Roar Guru
Nah NSW 3 from the last 4. Origin is dead!
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Not quite champ. Mitch Pearce was more often than not missing when we needed our halves to stand up, and as the dominant half you can't do that. He also failed to put on any match winning plays, or hardly any try scoring plays. He was also an absolute gun at finding Billy Slater on the full with plenty of space to run back with nearly every kick. He's not an origin half. Tonight he played the role he needed to. I still didn't see him take charge of the game, but then again Maloney was doing that. Mitch just had to play solidly and to his credit he managed to hold that together this time.
farkurnell
Guest
QLD played better than I anticipated..Lowe was that classic qlder who grows an extra leg when he puts on that Maroon jumper.He only joined the team yeaterday.The blues too good - they did a queenslander to Qld in that last minute.Now you know how it feels to have victory snatched away at the death.
Peter
Guest
Since Mitchell Pearce, and Mitchell Pearce alone, was solely responsible for losing, what was it, 13 out of 18 games, I assume that the critics and scribes will now give him credit for being solely responsible for this win. That would be only fair, wouldn’t it? What’s that you say? There were 16 other blokes in the team? It wouldn’t be fair to give all the credit to one player? I see.
Kick n Clap
Guest
Insider. Too true. Fantastic Advert for the “Greatest game in the World”. Next job is the NRL to expand to make it a truely National game. First stop Perth please!!
Kick n Clap
Guest
Ethan, Too true. Lowe was outstanding. What the game did bring back though was the bad memories about certain players.It confined to me, how poor a player Mbye is at Origin level? You can’t play centre at this level and not pass at all. Don’t think he passed to his winger once. Head down, no vision , no class. I’ve a big fan of Chambers, but I think now he’s also heading to the Departure Lounge too. Great game to watch though.Full of excitement and action unlike the other codes in Oz. Teddy’s all class. Possibly the Best player current playing in the World? Certainly the best back. Move over Bauden Barrett. You don’t play in that type of NRL & Origin intensity week in and week out. “Thank God for Rugby League. Chapter 4 /Verse 10 - Folau Bible.
farkurnelll
Guest
Agreed.Murray was a game changer.I thought Pearce was the better of the two NSW halves.
Insider
Roar Rookie
The biggest winner tonight was the Game, congratulations NSW,
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Sure Teddy and Cookie finished terrifically...but it truly was a team effort. Fergo was outstanding, Cam Murray's contribution priceless, Jake T, what a motor..Wighton tackled really well..Mitch Pearce good onya son..and Maloney helped my not throwing any intercepts (chargedowns dont count)..