CLEARY LEADS ‘WRITTEN OFF’ BLUES TO SURPRISE ORIGIN SERIES IN BRISBANE
In an unexpected turn during the State of Origin rugby league decider on Wednesday, Nathan Cleary emerged as a key figure, leading New South Wales to a resounding 30-12 victory over Queensland at the iconic Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Cleary’s stellar performance, which included two tries, four conversions, and a long-range penalty goal, propelled the Blues to an impressive 18-0 lead within the first thirty minutes of play, while a spirited crowd of 52,452 spectators looked on.
This victory marked the 18th for NSW in the history of the State of Origin series, and notably, it was their second win in three years at Queensland’s home ground, solidifying their competitive edge in the ongoing rivalry. Cleary expressed the sentiment of the team, stating, “We were written off. We came together as a group and rallied around each other,” highlighting the unity and determination that characterized their performance, which saw them score five tries to Queensland’s three.
The series was rife with dramatic momentum shifts, with the Blues having made a stunning comeback in the opening match at home, only for Queensland to level the series in Melbourne. Acknowledging the competitive nature of the match, Queensland’s hooker Harry Grant remarked, “We didn’t help ourselves and execute, but credit to New South Wales who played a really good game.”
As the game commenced at Suncorp Stadium, the underdog Blues faced a challenging atmosphere. They initially struggled to silence the passionate home crowd, particularly evident when Jack Bostock mishandled a vital opportunity near the goal line. However, Cleary soon turned the tide, crashing over the try line in the 14th minute after converting his own try, firmly establishing NSW’s dominance on the field.
Despite Queensland’s efforts to counter the Blues’ intense gameplay, they found themselves at a loss, especially when Cleary scored yet again following a deft offload from teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase. The scoreboard surged further as Cameron Murray notched another try for NSW. Queensland finally found their footing just before halftime, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scoring in the left corner, igniting hopes of a comeback.
As tensions rose before the interval, the match took a turn when James Tedesco was tackled hard by Briton Nikora and subsequently did not return after failing a head injury assessment. Returning from halftime, Queensland’s persistence paid off with a fortunate try from Selwyn Cobbo, whose score was a result of a ricochet from NSW’s Tolutau Koula.
Despite some controversy regarding an aerial contest involving Bostock, which appeared to involve a knock-on, the try was allowed to stand, continuing the pressure on NSW. Queensland also displayed resilience as Jojo Fifita scored in the right corner, briefly reviving hopes of defending their title. Yet, Sam Walker’s inability to convert successfully for a third time dashed their aspirations as the final whistle blew, confirming New South Wales’ victorious claim to the series.
