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Crestfallen New South Wales legend Andrew Johns lost his composure after Queensland’s epic series win in Brisbane, after a decider that went old school with brutal clashes including an all-in-brawl.
Johns, who was as polished as ever in commentary during the match, was clearly upset by the Queensland victory when quizzed on the reasons by Maroons legends Cam Smith and Paul Vautin.
“Joey and I in the commentary box [said] we can’t remember seeing a State of Origin match as physical and as intense of this one for a long, long time,” Smith said.
“You have to go right back to the early 90s and the 80s the way these players played. The fans loved it. They absolutely loved it. It made for a great atmosphere here.”
“The Blues were extremely brave they were put under enormous pressure especially in its second half,” added Vautin. “No tries and knocking the ball dead and repeat sets. They have to be proud of their efforts. Only one winner and Queensland were a little bit stronger tonight. Joey can you put a finger where things went wrong for NSW tonight?”
Johns response was sharp: “The big moments. Now we have to listen to all the bullshit in the next 12 months. It drives you mad.” Smith could barely contain his delight.
There were two big moments in the closing stages. First Valentine Holmes made an incredible play to keep in a Nathan Cleary goal line drop out, then Ben Hunt stole the ball to run away for a 70 metre try, having early successfully kicked a crucial 40/20.
“They are the big plays and it takes those big plays into these moments, in these big matches to make a difference,” said Smith.
State of Origin intensity went through the roof from the start with three players forced off in the opening three minutes of the game three decider in Brisbane and Jarome Luai accused of taunting a KO’d rival.
Throw in a second half all-in-brawl with punches traded by Matt Burton and Dane Gagai and an epic battle to the siren and it was one of the greatest ever Origin deciders.
Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans, who took a big whack when the Maroons lost game to in Perth, was near tears at the end.
“I’m lost for words. I can’t thank everyone that has come here tonight to support us enough. We knew
coming here was going to be something special but we did, we did it again. It is so good,” said DCE.
Queensland lost Selwyn Cobbo and Lindsay Collins after Blues star Cameron Murray was forced off with just one minute gone in a brutal contest.
All three were ruled out for the rest of the game and the impact was more significant on the home side, with Billy Slater having to load more minutes into the rest of his lineup.
While Murray and Collins walked from the ground Cobbo had been knocked out cold trembling on the ground. He was taken off on a medicab, and fans felt rival player Jarome Luai taunted the 19 year old unneccesarily.
“It was a brutal start to this match. Unbelievable. They were throwing themselves at each other. There wasn’t a lot of technique involved, but putting their bodies on the line, that’s for sure,” Gallen said.
It reminded Blues legend Johns of games 40 years ago when Origin was in its infancy and there was less interest in the health and safety of its participants.
He said he hadn’t seen intensity like it, “not for a long time. With tackling techniques that have changed over the years, they don’t like to drive in so much with their shoulders, it is all about control. This is a throwback to the ’80s.”
Smith was also taken aback by the punishing start.
“You’d have to go back quite some time to match this physicality, this intensity,” said Smith. “We’re saw in Game 1 how fast it was, but I can’t say we’ve seen the hits like we have tonight. It’s unbelievable.”
“It was just good, hard rugby league,” said Paul Vautin. “Unfortunately, some players got their heads in the wrong spots and we lost three players, which is unheard of in any game, let alone an Origin. You know, both teams recovered and they’ve just to work harder now. Queensland down to two on the bench. NSW three.”
The pace never abated through the first half as the teams went in with the Blues up 12-10 after two tries apiece.
The powderkeg erupted when the players emerged for the second half and the game exploded into more drama with an all in brawl that led to Dane Gagai and Matt Burton spending time in the bin for raining haymakers down on each other.
“It feels like someone’s about to release the lions out there,” said match commentator Matt Thompson. “It’s that kind of environment.”