Queensland Wins Historic Fourth Straight State of Origin Series
New South Wales played perhaps the worst half seen from the players of that state in ten years yet at halftime they were just 18-10 behind the Queensland team in State of Origin game two. Queensland went into the game with a 1-0 advantage after winning the opening match of the series in Melbourne.
The New South Wales blues basically let in three very soft tries. The first came after Greg Inglis went over from a short run in just the sixth minute. The next try for Queensland saw Israel Folau break through a tackle with ease near the 20 metre line before strolling over, this came following a spilt ball from David Williams.
Queensland scored again after another poor play from New South Wales. The Blues were trying to move the ball out of their defensive 20 metre zone when a pass went to ground. Two players from New South Wales tried to retrieve the ball but failed. In the end Darren Lockyer said thanks as he crossed the line to setup an 18-0 score.
From that moment the Blues could have easily thrown in the towel but thanks to a Jarrad Hayne intercept try they edged their way back into the match. It was Hayne again that saw the Queensland lead brought back to eight just before halftime. He managed to kind of fall sideways over the line from dummyhalf to score. The was some doubt about the try as the player playing the ball was thought to have interfered with the marker.
Minutes before the New South Wales try was scored Queensland had been denied what looked like a fair try to Ashley Harrison. Willie Tonga in going for the line held the ball up near his head, he managed to release the ball and it appeared to come off a Blues player and go forward. Harrison scooped the ball up from just on the try line and fell over. The video ref decided it was no try.
In the second half it was a different Blues team. They played with purpose and managed to get the score to 18-14 after a try to David Williams. The Manly star had a few Queenslanders attempting a tackle when he managed to pop out his arm to plant the ball over the line.
It was looking like the Blues would score a match winning try, but it was not too be. Just to rub salt into the wound Luke O’Donnel spilt the ball right in front of the posts. Cameron Smith swooped on the ball to go over. Billy Slater had setup the play when he batted down a short kick from Thurston, it was from this that O’Donnell made his error.
History has now been made as Queensland wins their fourth consecutive series, a first for State of Origin Rugby League football. A gutsy win by the Queenslanders showing once again the true State of Origin spirit.
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