Queensland seal series

BRISBANE: Queensland have pulled off one of their greatest and courageous wins in State of Origin history, forced to come from behind with 15 players to take out the 2022 series with a 22-12 win at Suncorp Stadium last night.
The Maroons, ranked outsiders on home turf following their game two loss in Perth and reeling from the withdrawals of Cameron Munster and Murray Taulagi, shut the New South Wales (NSW) Blues out in the second half.
Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga responded to critics to put on a masterclass in the second half and come up with the match-winning play after the Blues held a 12-10 lead after 60 minutes.
His solo effort, and miraculous performances from Ben Hunt and Daly Cherry-Evans, got the Maroons home.
In one of the most frantic openings in Origin’s 43-year history, three players were lost to head knocks in separate incidents after just five minutes of play.
Cameron Murray was first to leave the field after colliding with Corey Oates in the second minute before Selwyn Cobbo copped friendly fire from teammate Patrick Carrigan and was assisted via medicab.
The game was stopped again two minutes later when Lindsay Collins failed a head injury assessment after collecting the hip of Roosters teammate Daniel Tupou in a tackle.
Once the match got back into a groove the Maroons got on the board first through ever-reliable centre Valentine Holmes with Cowboys teammate Tom Dearden the provider to come up with a try assist on debut.
After being called in late for Cameron Munster, the Maroons rookie looked calm in his first appearance on home turf.
NSW weathered another Queensland raid before striking back on the scoreboard through five-eighth Jarome Luai.
A weaving Harry Grant teamed up with Kurt Capewell, who moved into the centres following Cobbo’s injury, to get the side their second on the stroke of the break with the Broncos back-rower beating Brian To’o to the ball in-goal. Tempers boiled over immediately after half-time when Dane Gagai took out Matt Burton in back play to spark an all-in melee with both players sent to the sin-bin for throwing punches.
The reduction of 12 sapped both sides further energy but none more so than the Blues who began to lose their way in attack with a brain snap by Stephen Crichton in the 58th minute allowing Queensland to take the lead.
Ponga’s solo effort got the Maroons the lead before the Blues continued to fumble their way to defeat.
The icing on the cake for Queensland came after Ben Hunt to intercepet Nathan Cleary’s short kick to run 60 metre in the final 90 seconds to complete a famous Maroons victory at a packed Suncorp Stadium.
From Ben Hunt’s 40/20 play in the second half to Valentine Holme’s saving effort to Hunt’s try in the final 90 seconds to seal the win, Queensland came up with some miracle plays to get their side home to bag a memorable victory.
— NRL

Carrigan, Ponga get top honours

BRISBANE: Maroons forward Patrick Carrigan has taken out the 2022 Wally Lewis medal for player of the State of Origin series.
Carrigan made his Origin debut in game one of this year’s series with a stunning performance in the opening match in Sydney before another barnstorming effort against the Blues last night while fullback Kaylyn Ponga picked up the man of the match award.
“I don’t know what to say, I just want to say a big thanks to the Queenslanders who came out tonight,” Carrigan said on stage.
“As well you Blues fans this game, it wouldn’t be what it is without you fans. The Blues boys it was a tough series and the first five minutes really showed what it was about.
“I think the two fullbacks of both sides probably one of them should be wearing this. And go Queensland!”.
Carrigan was immense for the Maroons in his debut series making 122 tackles across the three games, the most made of any Queenslander.
Carrigan was immense for the Maroons in his debut series making 122 tackles across the three games.
— Fox Sports

Fittler not happy with sin-binning

BRISBANE: Brad Fittler said it was “a tad ridiculous” that New South Wales were reduced to 12 men after Matt Burton was punched and placed in a headlock after half-time.
The Blues coach was complimentary of Queensland, said they were the better team and praised the five-star performances of Ben Hunt and Kalyn Ponga.
But the decision to punish both sides for a fight that was sparked by Dane Gagai — and featured Tino Fa’asuamaleaui placing Burton into a headlock — just after half-time did not sit well with Fittler.
“At the end of the day he didn’t initiate it (Burton), he’s not going to fight anyone,” Fittler said.
“We got the penalty, but he got belted, he got [placed] into a headlock, and we walk out with one player down each. It’s a tad ridiculous.”
When the line of questioning continued at the post-match press conference, Fittler was mindful to not let the rare Origin fight hijack the evening.
Fittler said the Blues hurt themselves with some poor errors, including a Daniel Tupou fumble from a Daly Cherry-Evans kick, which allowed Kurt Capewell to score off a Harry Grant grubber to get the home side to within two points.
“It’s just disappointing,” Fittler said last night.
— SMH

Decider turns ugly with three head knocks

BRISBANE: A ferocious opening to the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium last night saw three players leave the field for head injury assessments (HIA) in the opening three minutes.
New South Wales (NSW) Blues forward Cameron Murray and Queensland duo Selwyn Cobbo and Lindsay Collins all went down in the space of two minutes.
Just one minute into the decider the Blues have copped a massive blow with star backrower Cameron Murray sent for an HIA.
Murray clashed heads with Maroons winger Corey Oates before falling to the turf dazed.
He was replaced by Angus Crichton in the Blues forward pack.
Murray was soon after ruled out of the clash with a category one concussion.
Cobbo was subsequently stretchered after his head collided heavily with the hip of fellow Maroon Patrick Carrigan.
“This young man, he’s in Disneyland,” said Andrew Johns on commentary as the two teams came together.
Cameron Smith described it as ‘all out warfare’ as the game was stopped for several minutes to allow for Cobbo to be safely removed.
Cobbo and Collins failed their HIAs and didn’t return, but the Maroons still scored the opening try through Valentine Holmes in the 12th minute.
“One of the most breathtaking halves we have seen in 43 years of Origin,” Matt Thompson said in commentary.
Three minutes into the game and another player has been taken off for an HIA.
“This time it’s Maroons prop Lindsay Collins getting his head in the wrong position on a tackle attempt on Roosters teammate Daniel Tupou,” said Andrew Johns.
“Doctors categorised both players with category one concussions which means Queensland will be without two players for this game.”
The incidents saw the Maroons play with 15 players for the remaining 77 minutes of the match with both Cobbo and Collins ruled out of the match.
Meanwhile, Maroons legend described Queensland resolve as one the best wins in Origin with only 15 players in the game.
“This is one of the most famous Maroons victories you will ever see,” Smith said.
Queensland were heavy underdogs heading into the clash and were trailing 10-12 before coming from behind with two tries to finish 22-12.
— Fox Sports