Although I had uni last night I was not going to miss Origin!! I watched the kickoff at a backpackers and I even tuned into JJJ on the train ride home to listen to Roy an HJ commentation to get my fix – heading home to watch from half time onwards – to see…..
QUEENSLAND score one of the greatest State of Origin comebacks to grab a 1-0 lead in the three-match series!!!!
The Maroons scored 19 unanswered points in the second half to turn a 6-18 deficit into a remarkable 25-18 victory.
Queensland got off to the perfect start in the third minute when winger Greg Inglis latched on to a Johnathan Thurston chip kick to score. Thurston added the conversion and the Maroons led 6-0. A fluke try by NSW teenager Jarryd Hayne broke Queensland's hearts but the youngster later gifted the Maroons the match-clinching try. The Blues off thie field into the break with a 18-6 lead after Hayne scored in the 40th minute, stopping a Brent Tate kick with his legs, breaking clear down the left touchline and kicking ahead for himself.
NSW hit back in the 10th minute when workhorse backrower Nathan Hindmarsh scored his first Origin try but there were huge question marks over the try.
Firstly, the pass from five-eighth Braith Anasta was a blatantly forward missed by the touch judges and there was considerable doubt whether Hindmarsh actually grounded the ball in-goal in a two-man tackle.
Referee Paul Simpkins did not send the decision up to the video referee and even renowned Maroon-hater Phil Gould questioned the try.
"I've seen five replays and I still haven't seen him ground it," Gould said.
The Blues were in again in the 20th minute when centre Matt Cooper scored wide out from a crisp backline move featuring a great long pass from debutant halfback Jarrod Mullen.At that stage, the visitors led 12-6 and there were real danger signs for Queensland.
Queensland was robbed of the equaliser when Simpkins ruled a pass from Cameron Smith to Steve Price forward when it looked flat at worst.
In the 36th minute when Thurston was penalised for an obstruction play deep in the Maroons' half. Queensland launched a comeback in the 50th minute when Inglis scored his second try, this one from a Broncos "special" move involving skipper Darren Lockyer and fullback Karmichael Hunt.
The Maroons were in again four minutes later but Tate was recalled for a forward pass from his Brisbane team-mate Justin Hodges. Tate's brother-in-law Price got his reward in the 58th minute when he charged on to a short pass from Shaun Berrigan to cross beside the posts and in the blink of an eye the scores were level at 18-18 on the back of Thurston's third goal.
Lockyer put the Maroons in front when he swooped on a terrible mistake by Hayne deep in the right corner following a huge and well-placed kick by Smith.
A field goal at the 70th minute by Thurston, who deservedly earned man of the match, sealed a 7 point lead.
NSW – when are you going to learn? Putting babies up against the experienced Comeback Kings is asking for trouble….
Road trip is planned for the Sydney game…..GO QUEENSLAND!!! | 