Almanac Rugby League – State of Origin Game 3: The Maroons win in one of the greatest Origin clashes ever!
Queensland overcame pre-match disruptions and the early loss of two players to head injuries to defeat a brave New South Wales 22-12 in last night’s deciding State of Origin clash for 2022. It was a game straight out of the 80s or 90s, full of passion, spite, physicality on a huge scale, courage, skill, instinct, and on and on. At one point in the second half I thought to myself that I don’t want this game to end – it was so absorbing! There will be 34 very weary, very sore bodies in the coming days and if any of them back up for Round 18 this weekend, they deserve a medal for endurance.
Briefly, NSW lost Murray to a head knock in the first minute; very soon thereafter Queensland lost Cobbo, also to a head knock. It wasn’t long before Collins also exited after he reeled out of a tackle. The niggle was on from the start with Fa’asaumaleaui on report for a swinging arm on Burton. Carrigan and Oates were in everything early on, and Dearden looked assured when he held a pass back to allow Holmes to run through a gap to open the scoring. Holmes converted. NSW regained field position after a poor final play choice by the Maroons and capitalised when Luai persisted after initially slipping to get to a grubber to score. Cleary converted. 6-6 after 20 minutes.
The Blues enjoyed a glut of possession and field position for about 15 minutes against desperate defence and were eventually rewarded when Saifiti ran off Koroisau to score under the posts. Cleary converted. It looked a bit like Game 2 with NSW dominating and the Maroons using up a lot of petrol. A Tupou error gave Queensland a last minute opportunity before the break and, after repeat sets, Capewell got on the end of a Grant grubber to score out wide. No conversion. NSW 12-10 at the break. The pace was faster than ever, the physical clashes simply brutal.
A clash between Gagai and Burton at the start of the second half saw both players sent to the bin. They were lucky not to be sent off as both appeared to connect with punches. Ponga loomed continuously as a threat as the half unfolded. The war of attrition continued unabated with Queensland in the ascendency. Hunt turned the game with an outrageous 40/20 kick at about the 60 minute mark. After sustained pressure, Ponga finally got on the board with a well-timed run onto a DCE pass. Holmes converted. 16-12 to the Maroons.
Queensland continued to pin NSW deep in their own territory with a good kicking game and relentless team tackling. Poor handling and equally poor last play options limited the Blues’ chances to get back on the offensive. Queensland had several tries disallowed (Grant, Papalii, Nanai) as they attacked relentlessly. Full credit to the NSW defence for its heroic effort to keep their line intact. With less than two minutes on the clock and NSW 30 metres out from the Maroons’ line, Hunt caught a Cleary kick at pointblank range and set off for the tryline 70 metres away. Yeo chased valiantly but unsuccessfully, Hunt scored and the crowd roared. Holmes converted. Final score: Queensland 22 New South Wales 12.
I’ve seen many great Origin clashes since I moved back to Queensland in 1984. Wally’s try after that diagonal run, O’Connor’s conversion from the touchline in the pouring rain, Lindner’s broken leg, Daley leaving five in his wake to score, Fatty’s ‘Neville Nobody’s’ in 1995, Alfie’s comeback in 2001, Johns in 2005, Cronk’s field goal 10 years ago, the Maroons ‘worst team ever’ winning in 2020. Plus at least a dozen more. But this has to be one of the greatest games in Origin history – from several perspectives.
The sheer speed of this match, it’s remorseless physicality, the immensity of the defence by both sides for sustained periods, the clutch plays (especially by Hunt) under enormous pressure, the passion, and the down-to-the-wire tension with the series decided in the last 100 seconds after four hours of play – simply stupendous! We’ve long known that State of Origin is the pinnacle of the game – tonight we saw why.
NSW deserves every credit for their performance in this game. Playing away in front of a raucous, hostile crowd, they lost Cameron Murray within a minute, a huge blow. They conceded the first try to be on the back foot. But then they pounced on Capewell’s failure to kick on the last tackle to gain good field position and take control of the game. They were strong through the middle, their backline flowed smoothly and they turned the screws to score twice to take the lead and quieten the crowd. In the second half they had little possession and no field position. They defended for what seemed like most of the half and rarely got into Maroon territory. When they did they chose poor options and really didn’t look like scoring. Yet they kept turning up in defence on their own line and denied Queensland multiple times. Ponga finally cracked them (deservedly) but still they hung on despite being out on their feet. Errors in their own quarter hurt them and called for more defence. Then Hunt snaffled Cleary’s kick and scooted away to seal the game for Queensland. And yet, even though he had Buckley’s chance of catching Hunt, Yeo chased with all his might – shades of Martin Lang all those years ago. Tedesco was everywhere, Luai looked dangerous with the ball in hand, Saifiti had a great debut, Angus Crichton gave it everything, Cleary searched for the right kick but it wasn’t his night. If there is such a thing as a gallant (even noble) loser, then that was NSW tonight.
The Maroons were nothing less than magnificent! Coming off a hiding in Perth, their preparation disrupted by Covid, then losing their best player and drafting in late replacements, they overcame the on-field loss of Cobbo and Collins within the first ten minutes to play most of the game with just 15 men. Carrigan and Oates ran strong and hard early on and Dearden served up a try for Holmes. But when NSW took control midway through the first half, it looked like it might be Perth all over again. But the Maroons held their nerve and, when Tupou gifted them a chance just before the break, they seized the opportunity to get back into the game and got back their self-belief.
It’s an understatement to say that they dominated the second half. Ponga was everywhere a la Tedesco, only better tonight. Cherry-Evans and Hunt kicked early to force NSW deep into their own territory. The forwards held the middle and smothered the NSW pack; Oates and Gagai ran hard and straight. Debutant Dearden was composed and provided excellent link play with his wider supports. It was a typical Queensland underdog gritty effort roared on by their home fans. I had a feeling midway through the second half that the next try would win, such was the tightness of the game. Hunt provided the possibility with his 40/20; Ponga finished it off. Cherry-Evans kept kicking early and long. wearing out the Blues who had to turn and chase back repeatedly. Then Hunt provided the exclamation mark with his snaffle and scoot. Ponga was a deserved Man of the Match.
Yes, it’s great for me as a dyed-in-the-wool Queenslander that the Maroons won. It was an absolute boilover, a win against all odds, possibly one of their greatest ever in the history of Origin. But that’s not the only story from this match. Queenslanders, celebrate a victory for the ages; NSW, hold your head high in this gallant loss. Rugby league fans, appreciate the privilege of having witnessed one of the great clashes between these two magnificent teams.
Where is George Lovejoy to sign off with his signature phrase, ‘rugby league, the greatest game of all’!
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About Ian Hauser
A relaxed, Noosa-based retiree with a (very) modest sporting CV. A loyal Queenslander, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, and has been known to appreciate a glass or three of wine. One of Footy Almanac's online editors who enjoys the occasional editing opportunity to assist aspiring writers.
Well well well. What a miraculous victory for Queensland! To follow up my preview, I consider this to be the biggest upset in State of Origin history. Even more than 1995 and 2020 when the Maroons won against all odds. And full marks must go to rookie coach Billy Slater and his colleagues, as well as the players.
After Queensland was outscored 30-0 in the second half of game 2 and then lost three players for the decider (most notably Cameron Munster), I really could not imagine the Maroons winning. Not that I ever said it was impossible, nor did I ever say there was no chance! Not only was it the biggest upset in Origin football, it was also one of the most brutal Origin matches. The body contact was absolutely ferocious. With three players out of the game in the first three minutes (including two Queenslanders), I thought there’s still 77 minutes left! Both sides showed amazing grit, guts and determination, and the game wasn’t decided until the last two minutes, although NSW’s attack was faulty in the second half as mistakes presented Queensland with multiple chances.
After being a scapegoat (in the eyes of many) for Brisbane’s 2015 grand final loss and for Queensland’s defeat in Origin 2 of 2018, Ben Hunt deserves to be remembered for his brilliant display and series-sealing try in the 2022 Origin decider (we’ll ignore the one bad pass he threw). I can’t understand how he caught Cleary’s hopeful chip-kick in the dying stages considering he was in the motion of trying to charge the kick down. A death or glory play, if ever there was one! Had the ball hit the ground, NSW could have received ‘6 again’ and stolen the game. Remember the fine line between winning and losing?
Although he’s not Munster, Tom Dearden had a splendid Origin debut. A great pass for the first try was certainly memorable, as was a crucial tackle in the 11th minute. Kalyn Ponga was brilliant, while his counterpart was as dangerous as ever. However, there will be some major changes for Queensland in the next year or two as the Origin careers of Daly Cherry-Evans, Dane Gagai and Josh Papalii will surely be over soon, if not now.
The Blues never really looked like scoring in the second half, which was very out of character. It just goes to show that a third and deciding game in Brisbane really is far removed from any other Origin clash. And as the Maroons showed in 2020 as well as this year, one can learn much more from a defeat than a victory.
Lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed the looks on the faces of Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler.