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After two one-sided thrashings that left Queensland embarrassed and on the verge of a first clean sweep defeat in 21 years, the Maroons dug deep with one of the gutsiest Origin performances of their history to beat New South Wales 20-18 on Wednesday.
There have only been seven clean sweeps in 39 years of Origin series, but this looked a forgone conclusion two weeks ago after the Blues piled on 76 points to six across toin the first two games.
But Kalyn Ponga overcame a poor first half to prove the difference, alongside two-try scorer Ben Hunt, in a thrilling match that never looked remotely like a dead rubber.
It did however leave former Blues coach Phil Gould questioning why Queensland left it so late in the series to match the Blues intensity.
“My question to Queensland is where was all that in the first two games?” said Gould. “Why do you play like that with that sort of energy and that sort of spirit when you’ve been beaten by 50 and 26-0 in the other games. I don’t understand it.”
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» AS IT HAPPENED: Game 3 scores, highlights, result and blog
» TALKING POINTS: A clean sweep is hard
Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans declared before kickoff that his team had nothing to lose, but he would have been aware that several reputations were on the line, including that of his coach Paul Green, after the substandard efforts in the opening two games.
Blues legend Andrew Johns said the words “dead rubber” were banned from Origin camps and only used by outsiders who underestimated the hatred that characterises this clash, and the Queensland team was, shockingly, booed as they came out at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast. The boos were even louder as Cherry-Evans – once labelled a “Filthy Cockroach” by the Gold Coast Bulletin after famously turning his back on the local team at the last minute to re-sign with Manly – gave his post-match speech.
The Blues initially looked to be missing cohesion with Nathan Cleary sidelined and Mitchell Moses in debut at halfback. Their first attack was a mess – “forget disjointed, I’d call that awful,” said Johns – but it wasn’t long before the Blues went ahead through Latrell Mitchell’s sixth Origin try.
He benefitted from a superb long pass from Damian Cook and fancy footwork took him through several defenders.
“These are the best defenders in the world,” said Johns. “He picks it up and he’s playing with the opposition. They don’t get a hand on him. These aren’t average footballers, they’re the best in the world and he’s making them look silly.”
“He’s been the star of the series and he’s got a great attitude behind him,” added Billy Slater.
In previous games, a Blues try has been the catalyst for a cakewalk, but Queensland hung tough as NSW struggled with their execution. Tom Trbojevic, almost unplayable in the earlier games and named player of the series, wasn’t having the same impact, and a rushed pass with the Maroons on the ropes summed up a disappointing game from the Manly superstar.
Valentine Holmes thought he’d scored for Queensland only to have the play called back but soon after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who might well have been playing for Queensland Reds in Super Rugby but for a bout of homesickness while a school kid, made an instant impression in his Origin bow with a debut try.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow of the Maroons. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Queensland went to the break up 8-6, but really should have had more points on the board. That they didn’t was down to a superb NSW defensive effort, albeit after they made their job harder with several moments of ill-discipline.
Queensland had 21 tackles inside the Blues 10 metres in the last 10 minutes of the half, and the run included a superb intervention from Brian To’o, stretching to nudge the ball clear as Dane Gagai looked certain to score.
Blues captain James Tedesco was bemused by the refeeering and had a chat to the officials at the break. “We talked about our discipline – we obviously got pernalised a lot on a goal line but the positive was we held them out,” Tedesco said.
Phil Gould and Paul Vautin were impressed with Queensland’s desire, something that had been lacking earlier in the series.
“They’ve come out with a completely different attitude and completely different energy,” said Gould. “They’re really testing NSW all over the park.
“We’ve got a genuine Origin game. Remembering the two games that were tight last year Qld won both. This is typically where Queensland excel.”
Vautin had been scathing after match two.
“It’s a whole new attitude. They’re hitting the line hard, running harder. They’re making good ground. Welch and Papalii have been outstanding. They led Queensland out for the half, led Queensland through the middle.
“Cameron Munster is a different player tonight, running at the line, creating opportunities.”
Kalyn Ponga returned to the Maroons team but looked leggy in the first half but exploded after the break
with a stunning raid down the right that set up Hunt’s second try.
“Ponga has been good but he can do more,” said Vautin at the break. “He has to sit out the back of the ruck like James Tedesco does for the Blues and sniff out some opportunities. He’s a world class player but they need him to fire in the second half.”
Holmes suffered a shoulder injury just before halftime and was unable to play in the second half.
And for all Queensland’s improvement, it didn’t take long for NSW to seize back the advantage. Moses teed up Jack Wighton and Xavier Coates over committed, leaving Wighton to race over.
“There was a lot of pressure on Jack Wighton tonight,” said Billy Slater. “There was a call for Cody Walker to come in to the six jersey but Brad Fittler showed a lot of loyalty and Wighton’s done any work asked of him.”
Jack Wighton of the Blues scores a try during game three of the 2021 State of Origin Series. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Again Queensland responded brilianty. Hunt laid a crucial tackle on Mitchell as the Maroons hung on, then minutes later crossed for his try of his own firstly after Josh Addo-Carr touched a long kick from Cherry-Evans to gift Queensland good field position.
Hunt added a second to push Queensland out to 20-12 with less than 20 to go after some thrilling passing movement on the Blues left.
Before the game all the talk had been about clean sweeps and dynasties, and the Blues were desperate to enjoy to cap an incredible series performance with a third win.
They cut the margin to two points wwhen debutant hooker Api Koroisau showed determination to seize on a kick and grab his first Origin try. The Blues kept coming, back to back sets and a line drop out having to be absorbed as the game moved into the final five minutes.
AJ Brimson did brilliantly to contest a bomb with Trbojevic and Liam Martin spilled a rolling ball, allowing the gasping Maroons a rare touch of the ball.
With two minutes to go the Blues received a penalty near halfway. Mitchell stepped up in an attempt to level the scores, but his long range attempt was well short. As the siren sounded, the teams engaged in a scuffle, with Blues’ Junior Paulo placed on report.