The NSW cockroach was as close to a Blues win home team supporters could get Photo: Cadland
The Maroons broke NSW hearts yet again in Sydney on Wednesday night with a closely fought 12-10 win in the state of origin decider. That now makes it eight years in a row that their southern rivals must go without winning a series.
The match started as intensely as was expected with both teams not giving an inch away. Only 2 minutes in and the first penalty of the game was awarded against Queensland for a high shot.
Then a penalty is given away by Greg Bird giving Queensland an opportunity to attack. Jonathan Thurston capitalises by going over for a try and converts to make it 6-0 to the Maroons. A short time later he extends it to 8-0 following another penalty from right in front of the sticks.
NSW came back into the game but squandered several opportunities to score on two occasions by handing possession back to Queensland both times. Eventually a Blues attack out wide on the right saw James McManus score to make it 8-4 in the 27th minute.
The Blues dominated possession for the remainder of the first half but had nothing to show for their efforts.
The second half saw NSW continue to dominate, but still there was no reward. Momentum ebbed and flowed as fans were treated to some edge of their seats entertainment.
In the 60th minute some Maroons pressure saw Justin Hodges break through the Blues defence to score and stretch the lead back out to an 8 point margin; 12-4 to Queensland.
But NSW refused to give in and a try with 8 minutes to go by Trent Merrin saw the margin reduced to 2 points. NSW huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the Maroon’s house down as the visitors ran out eventual 12-10 winners, consigning NSW to another year of misery.
NSW 10 (McManus 27′, Merrin 82′) (Maloney 1/2)
Queensland 12 (Thurston 10′, Hodges 60′) (Thurston 2/3)
Man of the match: Brent Tate
Crowd: 83,813
