Maroons rise for Munster with magic and muscle
Queensland have added another chapter to the Maroons’ State of Origin folklore, shocking NSW with a 24-12 victory in the game-three decider at Accor Stadium to win back the shield.
Source: X (NRL)
In a state of chaos a month ago after losing game one, the Maroons were dominant at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Wednesday night after also stunning NSW in Perth last month.
The win was a 45-year first for the Maroons as they had never won two Origin games in a row on the road to win a series after losing the first match.
Halfback Tom Dearden was player of the match, brilliant in both attack and defence in the biggest game of his life, scoring twice and having a hand in another.
Queensland wanted to do the Munster family proud with a display for the ages, and they delivered one of the great performances in heroic fashion.
The 24-12 win came after the tragic loss of captain Cameron Munster’s father Steven just days before.
The script was written for a brave and historic 2-1 series win to unfold and the players all played their parts to perfection.
Blues halfback Nathan Cleary is tackled by Qld star Tom Dearden. Photo: AAP
There were heavy hearts in the leadup but what the Maroons required more than anything to honour their captain’s braveheart decision to play was to get their game on.
They were on alright and showed just how much Munster, the team and the state of Queensland means to them.
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Munster’s rollercoaster of emotions came bubbling to the surface after a sad and ultimately inspiring week for the Queensland captain.
The 29-year-old wiped away tears as he embraced his coach Billy Slater post-match.
The bravery and strength of character shown by Munster to play was an inspiration to his coach and also to his teammates who all lifted to a man.
Munster was interviewed by his childhood hero Darren Lockyer on Channel Nine and all the feelings of his turbulent week spilled out.
“Look, it’s a tough one, like a high of emotions. When someone loses someone, you forget about it sometimes, but then it brings back memories,” Munster said.
“I just want to say thank you to all of the rugby league community, they’ve been outstanding.
“I’ve had so much support and text messages from not only rugby league (people). Family is more important than anything, and a lot of people showed that the last couple of days and really got behind me.”
Munster has grieved with his family this week and singled them out for being rocks of support.
“Thank you to my Mum, my sister, my partner Bianca and the kids for getting behind me this weekend,” Munster said.
“I know it’s been a tough time, but that’s life.
“I just want to appreciate everyone that’s been around me and made this week so special. We’ll enjoy tonight and I can’t wait to obviously go next year and hopefully see what we can do.”
The Maroons are the masters of the Origin decider. It simply means more to them. That is why they have won 10 of the last 12. The Blues choke in the big moments. The Maroons lift, and they lift to a man.
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Queensland completed 21 of 21 sets in the first half to lead 20-0. It was perfect Origin footy.
Munster was magnificent. He ran when he needed to, passed at the right time and his kicking was on point. The same goes for his halves partner Tom Dearden who was just incredible in a two-try display and defence of steel.
Rookie centre Robert Toia was also among a cast of stars for the Maroons.
So disciplined were Queensland, that they completed their first 30 sets and took a 20-0 halftime lead against a disappointing Blues.
“When we talk about getting our game on, it’s pretty similar to what that first half looked like,” Queensland coach Billy Slater said.
“The effort, the togetherness, that’s where it all starts and the points come … it was an inspiring performance and I’m so proud of this group.”
Maroons captain Cameron Munster and Josh Papalii hold up the shield. Photo: AAP
NSW eventually got on the board in the 54th minute through Stephen Crichton and Dearden and To’o traded tries late, but NSW attack was otherwise off as poor last-tackle options killed the hosts.
Nowhere was that more obvious than when Jarome Luai gave away a 20m tap with a kick that floated into the in-goal early, after a Blues attacking raid.
Queensland went down field, got a penalty and kicked 2-0 ahead on the next set as they began their run towards a famous victory.
“I’m disappointed, we got off to a bad start again and in Origin if you give away those type of starts, it’s always hard to come back from,” Blues coach Laurie Daley said.
“We played some good footy but they just won some moments … you just can’t cop those points.”
Coach Billy Slater and his fellow selectors made two bold calls for the decider with centre Gehamat Shibasaki given a debut and veteran prop Josh Papalii recalled. Both calls worked a treat.
Shibasaki had a few nervous moments in defence early but rose to the occasion in the key moment to put winger Xavier Coates over to score the first try. His big body, big skill and big heart came to the fore in a stellar debut.
The masterstroke of shifting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback bore fruit. The man known as Hammer is always alive in an attacking set and so it proved to be again in broken play to put Dearden away.
Queensland adopted a rushing defence to shut down the NSW attack and it worked a treat. The Blues had 68 per cent of the territory but the Maroons were brick walls to record a series win up there with the famous 1995 and 2020 victories.
It was also a reminder just how good Slater is as a coach in his third series win out of four. He was the mastermind behind his team’s stunning achievement.
