Munster leads QLD to victory

BRISBANE: Queensland have celebrated a series win for the true believers with Cameron Munster leading Wayne Bennett’s babes to a stunning 20-14 win over a brave NSW on a night where a future star, Harry Grant, was born.
With his mentor Cameron Smith watching from the Channel Nine commentary box at Suncorp Stadium, 22-year-old Grant broke the game open in the second half with his dummy-half running and 62nd-minute try igniting the Maroons.
The match went right down to the wire with NSW attacking Queensland’s line late and calling for a captain’s challenge after the siren when Junior Paulo knocked-on, such was the closeness of the final stages.
Gallant NSW lost their captain James Tedesco to concussion in the 20th minute and five-eighth Cody Walker to an head injury assessment late on.

Man of the match and Wally Lewis Medal winner Cameron Munster was enormous at five-eighth for Queensland while the Maroons forwards – led by Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Lindsay Collins – defended with intensity.
When Bennett was brought back to coach the Maroons after a 17-year absence from the Origin arena there was a sense that a remarkable story was waiting to be written.
In a series where Queensland blooded 14 debutants, including four in the decider, the triumph will become a story for the ages.
Now the 2020 Maroons side will be etched in the history books as one of the great winners of a series against the odds, alongside the 1995 and 2001 teams which prevailed when given no chance.
In fact skipper Daly Cherry-Evans in his post-game speech happily accepted the State of Origin shield on behalf of “the worst ever Queensland team”.

Bennett had Allan Langer in the 2001 decider to ignite the Maroons but in Munster he has a worthy heir to Langer’s throne as the go-to man who delivers on the biggest stage.
The talismanic five-eighth’s eyes-up cross-field kick late in the first half to set up Edrick Lee on the back of earlier brilliance was telling.
It was the injection of Grant that change the game for the Maroons. Bennett gave Cameron Smith his Origin debut in game three of the 2003 series and it ushered in one of the greatest careers ever seen.
Grant has a decade or more ahead of him with the Maroons.

Queensland dominated early and did not take their foot off the throat despite some tense moments.
The Maroons ran the ball on the last in the fourth minute with Munster sending it through the hands to Allan whose silky pass to Holmes still gave the winger plenty to do.
Holmes, who has proven masterful at finishing for Queensland, scored his ninth Origin try with a one-handed put down that was all class. – NRL.com