A controversial final-minute penalty has gifted Queensland an 8-6 win over NSW and back-to-back Women’s State of Origin titles at a wet Sunshine Coast Stadium.
The Blues saw red after Friday’s match, accusing Chelsea Lenarduzzi of “milking” the penalty when Filomina Hanisi pulled her leg as the Maroons prop tried to play the ball right in front of the posts.
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The hard-fought clash held in miserable weather looked headed for golden point but NSW were left shattered when Queensland centre Lauren Brown slotted the match-winning penalty with just 20 seconds left.
“It is just a really s*** way to lose a game right on full-time,” rookie Blues coach Kylie Hilder said.
NSW captain Kezie Apps was left shaking her head over the call that ensured Queensland backed up from last year’s 24-18 win and squared the Origin ledger at 2-2.
(Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)
“I thought she was milking it. It is just a really bad way to end a game,” she said of Lenarduzzi.
Jillaroos great Tarsha Gale agreed.
“Chelsea is a good one at milking it. I am not sure she deserved that penalty and look at that cheeky grin from her (after earning the penalty),” TV commentator Gale said.
Lenarduzzi celebrated after the penalty was blown, no doubt breathing a sigh of relief after her gaffe helped NSW lock it up at 6-6 and ensure a tense finish.
Lenarduzzi was placed on report for a dangerous tackle in the 52nd minute before recalled Blues half Maddie Studdon slotted the penalty kick to level the scores.
Maroons coach Tahnee Norris said she thought the last-minute penalty made up for Queensland fullback Tamika Upton’s 64th minute disallowed try.
Upton’s effort was for nought after Julia Robinson was deemed to have obstructed NSW playmaker Corban Baxter in the lead-up.
“I think we were unlucky with the obstruction call before. We will take that penalty,” Norris said.
Queensland back-rower Tazmin Gray (125 metres from 15 hit-ups) received the Nellie Doherty Medal for player of the match while captain Ali Brigginshaw was again inspirational at lock for the hosts, who led 6-4 at halftime.
Hooker Destiny Brill – just 18 – also turned heads as one of three Maroons debutantes with a try, 29 tackles and four tackle busts.
Star centre Isabelle Kelly (one try, 160 metres) and prop Millie Boyle (143 metres) were standouts for the Blues, who struggled most in the wet, letting four try-scoring chances slip.
Gray, Lenarduzzi (Queensland) and NSW prop Simaima Taufa were placed on report while Brigginshaw may be in trouble after Kennedy Cherrington accused her of hair pulling in a first-half tackle.
Meanwhile, Blues winger Tiana Penitani (suspected knee) limped off in the 57th minute.
Kerry Hanson
Guest
It’s South African slang for a goose or similar as far as I know .
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
The term “palooka”. Wonder if it emanates from a cartoon I vaguely recall as a kid. Called Joe Palooka about a boxer. Is anybody else old enough to remember it?
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Balanced and fair as usual Rob, good luck on Sunday night :thumbup:
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Palooka and Pelican, two of.my faves :thumbup:
Rob
Guest
Well John you will have the flying monkeys from NSW coming after you now. The article is a total cry feast that fails to make any mention the Blues were behind for much of the game and botched 2 opportunities to score. The Women and game deserved better headlines than Ref blaming and story telling about hair pulling. The biggest boast was from the NSW supporters was a big girl belting a smaller opponent in fortuitously high contact.
Randy
Roar Rookie
Its good to watch Rugby League where there is hardly any wrestle, no diving and defence isn't offside constantly. Well done to the Women!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, she had a night to forget, made pretty big errors on four of her first five or so touches…
The Barry
Roar Guru
I enjoyed the game… it was a bit scrappy at the time with the conditions Great to see a game where momentum shifted throughout and each team was able to tough their way back into the game when they were down Sorry I don’t know a lot of the names but I liked the 11 and 10 for Queensland and the young hooker Brill… she reminded me of Brandon Smith with her strong running game and low centre of gravity. Briginshaw is classy with her touches I thought the 1, 13, 8 and Apps were really good for NSW. Apps has a beautiful defensive technique…brutal, clean hits all night I don’t watch a lot of the women’s game but I’ll be making more of an effort to tune in after that… good stuff…
The Barry
Roar Guru
Well said… another palooka on the video for this had a similar complaint Queensland win and he still managed to find a way to have a moan about NSW The leg pull wasn’t a big deal but it was a silly thing to do at that stage of the game and unnecessary. There was nothing wrong with the penalty call…
Tony
Roar Guru
Glad to hear that the medication is working John. You do cause me such worry at times. I've never been a fan of state rivalry to be honest. It's great to see every dog have their day.
elvis
Roar Rookie
You come up holding the leg it's an automatic penalty whether they fall over or not. Gotta love the headline, I was in tears...
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Good afternoon Tony. I’m OK now. The nurse has just delivered my medication. In response to your “Stockholm Syndrome” suggestion yesterday, let me explain. Living in Sydney in the 60’s & 70’s I started feeling sorry for Queensland being a laughing stock for never having won the Sheffield Shield. Headlines such as “Queensland beautiful one day, all out for 75 the next” only made me more passionate about them as the underdog. When SOO commenced, with Artie up front, it was a no brainer who I supported. I spent 13 years in Brisbane & it only strengthened my support for all their teams except Broncos & Lions as I had been a Roosters & St. Kilda fan for many years.
Tony
Roar Guru
Watch the blood pressure there John :happy:
Crow
Roar Pro
Super game. The girls are great athletes and the scoreboard was in favour of Queensland however the contest was so close it could have gone either way in challenging weather conditions.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I thought it was a good tough game that could have gone either way in the conditions. Both teams were committed and defensively strong. The difference in the end was in the game management where the Maroons had the ever cool Ali Brigginshaw controlling things whilst the Blues had Maddie "mistake-a-thon" Studden with a poor kicking game and wasting opportunities at the end of the counts.
PB Meister
Roar Rookie
Oh well. At least you’ll have one moment of joy to console you at the end of the Origin series :silly:
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Jeez that's not bad, Queensland win and you still manage to have a winge about a scenario you've made up in your head that never happened. Queensland were deserved winners, the no try was a no try because that's the rule and that's the way it was ruled, the penalty was a penalty and the better team won, our play makers had a shocker and we lacked direction with our kicking game. All in all a great spectacle, this game improves every year and should be played prior to the Mens :thumbup:
PGNEWC
Roar Rookie
Both Teams were coached very well defensively even though the rain added to the low score it’s the attack on both sides that needs improving. A lot of times passes were thrown before the player had drawn the defensive leading to some hospital passes and hit ups were not followed up with quick play the balls.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
QUESTION: Had NSW won in a similar fashion, the biased commentary team would have labelled it as “smart play”. The better team won as they were unlucky to have a try disallowed earlier. NSW just can’t accept losing in any sport. perhaps their cars should carry the logo “ NSW The Self Entitled & Egotistical State”. Even their Premier refuses to use the term “lockdown”. QUEENSLANDER.