Queensland
22
Match Complete
New South Wales
12
| V. Holmes |  | 78 | ||
| B. Hunt |  | 78 | ||
| V. Holmes | | 62 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 60 | ||
| K. Capewell | | 39 | ||
| 32 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 31 | | J. Saifiti | ||
| 19 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 18 | | J. Luai | ||
| V. Holmes | | 14 | ||
| V. Holmes | | 12 |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The State of Origin series gets decided tonight when Queensland takes on New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8.10pm AEST.
After a shock loss first up in Sydney, the Blues levelled the series a few weeks ago in Perth. After a tight first half, NSW dominated the second 40 mins to win 44-12. We now move to Suncorp for the decider, where previous form only counts for so much.
With both backlines bristling with talent, ruck domination has decided both games so far. In Sydney, the Maroons dominated the play the ball area, enabling them to put pressure on Nathan Cleary. In front of a massive home crowd in Brisbane, they may just get the opportunity to do that again.
The big name forwards like Josh Papalii and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui had limited impact in Perth. We can expect them both to bring their A games to this one.
Billy Slater resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes, but a few have been forced. Felise Kaufusi is out for personal reasons and he has been replaced by Tom Gilbert. In a massive blow, Cameron Munster and Murray Taulagi have contracted COVID and are out. Tom Dearden and Corey Oates.
With the NSW forwards much improved in the second game, Nathan Cleary was able to return to the way he plays the game, with his kicking pinning the Maroons down within their half. Chances eventually started coming, and the Blues took full toll.
Matt Burton was a revelation in his Blues debut, and looks to have a long Origin career in front of him, although perhaps in the 6 jersey. His towering bombs eased the pressure on Cleary and he seemed to have a great game awareness at this level.
The Blues have also been weakened through injury as well, with Payne Haas, and then his replacement Jordan McLean, forced out. Jacob Saifiti is the new man in the 17. 19th man, Nicho Hynes, left camp with COVID so the Blues will be hoping there are no new cases.
Prediction
Origin fans know all about the famed Queensland spirit. I’d old enough to remember Fatty Vautin coaching what was seen as the worst Queensland side ever to a series win.
You can never write Queensland off, especially at home.
However, the loss of Munster is massive and, as good as Dearden is, this leaves a massive hole.
Queensland will be tough, but the Blues look to have the edge in ability, and this will eventually tell.
New South Wales by 2
Game information
Kick-off: 8:10pm AEST approx.
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
TV/Stream: Nine Network, 9Now
Odds: Maroons $3.50, Blues $1.32 – odds via PlayUp
Queensland
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Dane Gagai 5. Corey Oates 6. Tom Dearden 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c) 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Ben Hunt 10. Josh Papalii 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Patrick Carrigan
Interchange: 14. Harry Grant 15. Jai Arrow 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 17. Tom Gilbert
New South Wales
1. James Tedesco (c) 2. Brian To’o 3. Matt Burton 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Daniel Tupou 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 16. Junior Paulo 9. Api Koroisau 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Cameron Murray 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 8. Jacob Saifiti, 14. Damien Cook 15. Angus Crichton 17. Siosifa Talakai
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Yep. Been a few this year, including the All Blacks game last weekend. Red cards for accidental head clashes...glad league doesn't have that stupid rule.
matth
Roar Guru
What are the odds that Billy, the greatest fullback in 50 years, gave Ponga some tips, but also pumped him up with confidence all series.
matth
Roar Guru
It’s weird isn’t it. I was in the crowd and the booing was done with a smile as opposed to aggressive hatred, but once the game is over why is it even necessary? Especially when NSW defended as though their lives depended on it. We were happily chatting with nearby Blues supporters after the game.
Shed Bloke
Roar Rookie
Rank outsiders by everyone south of the border.They just don’t get it! Umm... But south of two borders, we certainly get it. :happy:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Good gravy :shocked:
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
As part of the celebration and smugness process, it's important to feel the pain of the loser. That's how NSW feels right now: like we have been driven to work by this result. I think there was a stage during the 8 in a row I became attracted to the mother in law and wanted to share my feelings.
WELL PLAYED QLD
Guest
I thought Todesco had a great game overall, but ultimately his job is to be a fullback, not a running forward. He was simply out of position too many times in the second half when it came to the Queensland kicking game. It was evident to all that they were looking to pin us down in our own half, and whilst it was some great kicking that achieved that, the fact that Todesco was nowhere in the frame so many times is not the makings of a great game for a fullback - there was one kick there on the 4th tack where he was virtually in our defensive line, by the time he got back we were running back inside out 10.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Good lord, I am sorry to hear that, buddy!
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Hi Sober Red Rob Can you tell Drunk Red Rob love his passion and who can blame him after a win like that? Want to know who I blame? Children for taking Drunk Red Rob away. It was far far worse. I was so gutted I restored to doing work. Sigh. I've never been that despondent to do work after origin. See Queensland? It definitely definitely hurts. Boy it really does suck. Suck so much I turned to work. I hate myself a little bit now.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Inferior side. ? You guys are funny .
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
You can say, it was dumb, you can say it was a lack of skill but it has nothing to do with tough.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Great game , great series and really nothing between the sides ( as is normal ).
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Ok sorry, Drunk Red Rob is gone, children. Normal transmission resumes. 2:06am post - hangover a good one?
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Ouch indeed, well done and way too good last night :thumbup:
matth
Roar Guru
For a head clash?
matth
Roar Guru
Ouch
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
d.ck face?
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Adam. I’m not sure they’ll get rid of Fitler.
Greg
Roar Pro
i agree both should have been binned. I dont think there is any way that Burton went after Gagai. Did you mean Burton going after Ponga? Personally, i think Burton's contact on Ponga was probably incidental but i am no-where near certain of that. I am certain that Gagai believed Burton deliberately targeted Ponga and that Gagai instigated his exchange with Burton as a response to that. Anyways, i don't want to get bogged down on one play in what was an awesome game. Enjoy the win, your Cowboys representatives all played very well. And best wishes to the concussed trio. I'm off to bed.
Rob
Guest
Yes Greg I agree. Both Burton and Gagai played their part and the resulting sin binning of both was fair IMO. As a Queenslander I would argue Burton was more to blame for going after Gagai but then again who shoved who first? Freddy needs to identify the poor option and composure of his team. Both teams had 12 on the park. He obviously believes only Queenslander deserve to be sent off. Bloody hell he got a penalty out of Burton running into a player lying on the ground then chasing an opponent looking for a fight?