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.
PaulC
Guest
Tony is it possible to introduce a little bit of fairness in your article. Fittler was criticised for his selection of his new halves pairing because of injury but you don't take in to account that the Qld teams selected for games 1 & 2 were weakened by injury. In game 3 Qld had a return from injury of top players & a forward pack that were not dominated by the blues.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
I don't refute that & this has been frustrating as well. But that is a totally different subject to the point I am making. I believe Knights fans would relate to my post. Dane Gagai averaged 5 tries a season for the knights over 6 years. During that time he scored 11 tries in 13 Origin games. Obviously he was playing in a better side but that is a huge disparity.
Rob
Guest
Well at least he’s available for this weekend. How much money did they pay Dugan, De Belin, Vaughan, McGuire and co? Maybe Hunt is surrounded by stupidity.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
you said it
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
So the bloke in the fullbacks role, was doing a halfs role, because the half was to timid to control his line, that just sounds stupid.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
As a Dragons supporter, I am pretty annoyed that we are paying Ben Hunt $950K a year for an average weekly performance. I watched him last night & saw him put his heart into a performance for a change. Maybe we should amend his contract & pay him for reaching KPIs. I have no problem paying him $950K if he could put in a performance like that 2 out of every 3 weeks. Queenslanders pride themselves on rising to another level with the Maroons jersey on their back, I say shame on them for not having any pride in their performance when they are playing for the clubs & fans who are paying their weekly wages.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Wally tipped the Blues. But I dont suppose he was disappointed that he got it wrong.
Kobi
Guest
Moses is not a big game player his premiership form in semi finals proves it. Did Fitler take that into consideration when he chose his squad ?
Malo
Guest
Both set of halves were mud. NSW played like it was a dead rubber. The Fittler factor, the series was won and Ponga made a difference . Cleary does a lot of defence as well and his absence was the main reason we lost
mushi
Roar Guru
So last night we still missed more tackled than the blues and ran for less metres with more possession. That’s not a side that suddenly turn the effort tap on. The big difference was execution. The first two games we didn’t have a fullback you’d even grade as “above NRL average” once the ball that means the half has to do everything (especially when it was Capewell and Gagai at centre). Game two we also had a hooker who, at best would be considered a serviceable first grader. So we generated 2 line breaks from 68 tackle breaks. Last night with an extra elite playmaker we got 5 from 31. Now that conversion rate was probably as good as we could hope for and NSW slipped off a bit from the other worldly 17/101 in the first few games. Some of that was Wighton/Moses but some is just you don’t always shred teams. So why didn’t we play like that in game 1&2? Largely we did, just this time one key position was materially better and gave us a punchers chance when NSW didn't play at their best.
mushi
Roar Guru
It's less the "one person" more the that if you don't have a fullback capable of breaking down the defence your entire attack becomes pop gun. Clearly both guys are elite but a big part of the jump was they were replacing what was effectively a fast warm body in attack that the defence could number up on.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:shocked:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I think the issue for Moses is that Teddy didn't have confidence in him and basically took over his role - all bar the kick.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
After that effort, Hunt deserves the 9 again next year. Grant proved last year how dynamic he can be off the bench. I still think Queensland missed an opportunity by choosing an underdone Grant for the starting role in Game 1, instead of Hunt or Mahoney with Grant off the bench. In hindsight, huge mistake leaving Hunt in reserves for that game.
Graham
Guest
I think qld has had less hunger than nsw for 6-7 years now. You look the passion plays and i think nsw have done more of them for ten years 1) desperate try saving tackles and knocking the ball out 2)players pushing the ball carrier to stop them pushed back 3) dragging players back if the surrender 4) duel contact at impact with players ganging up to stop offloads and push the player back 5) players supporting the ball carrier sniffing for an offload 6) having a cover for the cover defence when a lb is made 7) pushing isolated wingers into touch 8) defensive line pushing up on the inside so the line remains straight even when the ball goes past 9) kick chasers pushing up well away from the catch in case there is a spread 10) pressure on the fifth tackle kick 11) big hits 12) line speed in defense resulting in dropped balls from rushed players or intercept tries 13) never conceding an overlap after a slow play the ball 14) arguing with the ref or argy bargy (not good sportsmanship but probably indicates passion) Qld improved in hunger each game but even in game three i don’t know if they broke even. They need to rediscover their passion if they are to win next year
Dunning Kruger
Roar Rookie
Ben Hunt and Ponga were the difference last night. Hunt much more influential than Cook and should be the Aussie Hooker.
PaulC
Guest
Tom G, Thank you for your fair assessment of the 3 Qld SOO team selections. Injury was the real problem in Games 1 & 2. There was no comparison with the winning Game 3 (2020) winning side. A clean sweep in SOO is very rare & I suppose NSW like Qld sides going for the clean sweep took their opposition to lightly.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
It just shows the absolute importance of a strike weapon at fullback at this level. Val Holmes has never played that role. Corey Allan shouldn't have been able to cut it last year either, but he was riding high of confidence at least.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I think the media made far too little was of Queensland’s missing key players on the first two games and maybe a little too much of NSW dominance. Ponga, Grant and a decent centre were huge losses. Once we copped similar handicap with losing the halves it exposed the real differences in the two sides. Having said that Fittler making a proper halves combination might have been an idea. The quality of service to our back five was non existent, Wighton can’t or won’t pass and Moses is one dimensional
rl
Guest
I find it hard to believe that one key player can make such a difference, but in commentary last night Joey referred to the difference that Ponga's return made to the Knights, and look at Manly's results with and without Tommy Turbo. But I'll add one other key player to the mix - Ben Hunt followed up his Game 2 effort with another cracking effort. He will be in a lot of pain today - in addition to his excellent play with ball in hand or in support, his defence seemed to unsettle some of the NSW forwards or (in the case of Latrell) forced a crucial turnover. When Harry Grant is fit again, Hunt is a must for the 14 jersey.