New South Wales avoid whitewash as they claim victory in Origin three

New South Wales got some measure of revenge as they beat Queensland 24-10 in the Origin finale at the Accor Stadium

A brace from debutant Bradman Best, alongside tries from Brian To’o and Josh Addo-Carr guided them to victory, and restore some pride for the Blues after a disappointing series this year.

Last time out, Queensland had secured the series win with a big win in Brisbane. This gave the game an academic feel on paper, however it was anything but this. The Maroons came into the game looking to make it a clean sweep in the series, and the Blues were playing for pride on home soil.

The game started at break neck speed as NSW thought they’d broken the deadlock in just the second minute. A grubber kick ricocheted off Liam Martin, however he was judged to be offside and the Maroons escaped this early scare.

The Blues would have the better of the opening 10 minutes, however the Maroons would make the first dent on the scoreboard. A lovely kick from Cameron Munster was tapped back by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, and David Fifita reacted first to dot down for Queensland. Valentine Holmes carried on from where he left off in game two from the tee and Queensland led 6-0.

The lead wouldn’t last long though as Brian To’o went over for the Blues first try. A break from Josh Addo-Carr set up the chance, and quick hands through the backline got the ball out to the Penrith winger who dived over. Stephan Crichton was on kicking duties, however he couldn’t add the extra two. He got the chance to rectify his miss not long after as he slotted a penalty goal to draw the scores level.

New South Wales would finally get their noses in front thanks to an incredible solo try from Addo-Carr. The Canterbury winger broke down the left edge, put up a chip kick and collected it to pull his side in front. Crichton again missed the conversion, however the Blues had a four point lead.

They made their early dominance on the left edge count again as they notched their third try of the night. A strike play through the backline found the ball in debutant Bradman Best’s hands who broke the line to dive over. Crichton’s kick was successful and the Blues were ahead by 10.

Queensland came back into it over the next 10 minutes, and they eventually added their second try through Tabuai-Fidow. The centre broke down the edge, put in a grubber kick and dived on the ball to give Queensland a lifeline back into the game. Holmes was unable to add the conversion, but they were back within a converted try.

In the dying embers of the half, Crichton would add another penalty goal to push the lead to eight points. The Blues deserved the lead at the break, but could they carry on their good work in the second half?

The second half turned into a more physical contest. Both teams turned to their middles to punch holes in the defensive lines, but you felt a bit of magic would give someone the upper hand, and Cherry-Evans provided this. The Queensland captain broke from his own half and put in a chip kick, and after a bit of football the ball found its way to Lindsay Collins, however he couldn’t keep a hold of the ball and New South Wales escaped again.

The Maroons nearly scored again, though a spectacular effort in the air from Selwyn Cobbo to keep Cherry-Evans kick in field, however Holmes was unable to reach the ball before it went over the dead ball line.

Despite the Maroons early dominance in the second half, the Blues would cross the whitewash through Isaah Yeo. However his effort was ruled out after the bunked found Crichton had knocked the ball forward into Yeo’s hands.

The first points of the second half would finally come as New South Wales extended their lead to 14 points. A fantastic break from James Tedesco created a three on one, and he was able to connect with Bradman Best to give the debutant his second try of the night. Crichton was on hand to slot the conversion and it looked out of reach for the Maroons at this point.

Tabuai-Fidow came close to hitting back for Queensland, but he knocked the ball on whilst scoring. This stopped all hope of a Queensland comeback, and New South Wales rounded out an impressive 24-10 victory.