State of Origin Game 3 goes to NSW
In game two of the State of Origin series it was David Williams who had a shocker as Queensland completed a historic fourth consecutive series win.
Game three was played Wednesday night on the Queensland home ground in Brisbane. Early in the match it was again Williams who handed the ball to Queensland to allow them to score. This time as he tried to slide and collect the ball he fumbled and allowed Dallas Johnson to cross the line. After the video ref reviewed the play several times he gave benefit of the doubt to Queensland.
Unlike other matches the NSW Blues team hit back and then ended the first half in front of their opponents.
A try was scored by Ben Creagh after Watmough delivered a sweet pass to make it 6-6 after 18 minutes. The next was controversial as Williams scored a try and a penalty was awarded to allow NSW to collect eight points.
The try itself was doubtful as the Manly winger appeared to lose the ball as he tried to ground it. The play started with a kick cross-field, Billy Slater could not wrap up the ball. Instead he put it in the hands of Williams who then got the ball to ground. As he did Thurston lashed out with his foot. The play was penalised.
The defence from NSW was a lot more committed and they had the match under control after going to the sheds with an eight point lead.
Queensland hit back just after halftime with a try to Justin Hodges but then mistakes followed from Queensland allowed NSW to score again after Trent Barrett delivered a nice pass to Josh Morris for the Blues to extend their lead.
Queensland were not giving up that easily and they put on a sensational try to Billy Slater. It came after Greg Inglis streaked away down the left sideline. He then put a kick through which Billy Slater chased at full speed before grounding the ball just inside the dead ball line. Once again it took the video ref to review the play before giving it the benefit of the doubt try.
Once again showing more spirit than they had in games one and two, the Blues scored again through Ben Creagh to make it 26-16 after the conversion.
With 11 minutes left to play Inglis put on a big fend against David Williams and looked like he might streak away for a try but Kimmorley had other ideas and he made a great covering tackle around the ankles.
Late in the game Trent Waterhouse was sent from the field after coming in late and hitting Steve Price. There had already been a fight between Price and a Blues player. The end result saw Price leave on a stretcher. Hopefully he is ok.
You might have thought that was the end of the action, but no. As the fight involving Price took place Jarrad Hayne went over for a possible try. Thanks to the fight it was disallowed.
Just minutes later there was more push and shove and we saw Ben Creagh and Sam Thaiday sent to the sin bin.
Finally the end came and NSW avoided the whitewash with a 28-16 win.
Brett Kimmorley justified his recall as he put in a great performance. He last played Origin in 2007. Anthony Watmough also had a great game for NSW.
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