 Corey Parker's final farewell on Queensland soil.
The big night upon us, the Blues and Maroons once again to lock horns. The old graveyard of Lang Park the location, the game begins, Advance Australia Fair rings out, the teams line up and a global TV audience to 50 countries awaits to enjoy State of Origin 2.
Tears in the eyes of Corey Parker, this means everything to these players!
The usual first hit ups are typical solid and strong no one wants to make a mistake in the opening sets.
On 2 minutes a 40 metre break by Cameron Smith end on the 5th with a NSW drop out. Leading to attack by Queensland and a tackle without the ball on Greg Inglis, a penalty ensues and 2-0 to the Maroons.
Aaron Woods makes a wonderful run on 8 minutes resulting in a penalty to Gallens NSW team also his last ”in QLD” origin game, and the New South Welshmen level the game at 2-2.
13 minutes in an a up ending tackle by Sam Thaiday leaving him on report, means a penalty to the Blues in the northern end and a kick for goal results in 2-4 to NSW
More penalties in the game and QLD are on the Blues line, messing about again by the Blues gives another penalty, all the QLD work is going do the left, they must see a big chance for Thurston and Inglis to make ground. Maguire takes them to within 5 asnd more messing about and another penalty, 4 in a row for the Blues.
Thurston lines up for another attempt now at the southern end, 4-4 all level. Thurston now on 206 points in Origin.
Blues keeping the Maroons on their own line at 23 minutes, even stevens at the moment, hit for hit, point for point, NSW attack on the turnaround and the Blues get a drop out.
28 minutes, NSW possibly hard done to with a QLD player holding down Greg Bird coming up with a scrum to QLD.
31 minutes, Dane Gagai's try goes to the Video Ref, long distance run and 60 metres covered, tackled in the last metre but he makes it : JUST. 10-4 to QLD.
Thurston's impressive conversion makes it 12-4.
coming up the break and more mistakes from the NSW team and better play by QLD making more breaks now and taking more control of the game.
Gerald Sutton calls HALFTIME.
Second half underway as ever in Origin the opening moments are steady, however, on 46 minutes Dane Gagai again over in the corner. 16-4 and the Blues nightmare continues. Thurston makes the touchline conversion 18-4 to QLD. A long way to go, but it's a long way back for the Blues.
52 minutes in and QLD take Moylen 7 metres from inside the field of play to over his own line. It is all Queensland here, passing up possible goes for goal in order to run the ball, which could come back to bite them in the end.
NSW hold them out for another set and start to take the ball up the pitch, they really need to get to the half way line to turn QLD round in their own 20. They do, and not only that turn it into a 6 pointer by getting in under the posts with Tyson Frizell 16:10 NSW back in it!
A poor drop out from NSW leaves QLD on their line and pushing the ball, 62 minutes gone and it's crunch time now, another score for QLD here may be the end of the series for NSW. Sure enough Dane Gagai in again for his Hat Trick 20:10 and with 17 minutes left, NSW have it all to do. JT misses the kick.
QLD receive the football and already make the blues 20 on the 4th tackle this is looking ominous for NSW, last tackel and cooper Cronk puts the ball up and James Maloney takes an intercept and goes the full length of the pitch under the sticks, the Blues are not giving in. 20-14 with the kick to come with 12 minutes to go : converted.
NSW with a tackle restart on the 5th and in the QLD 20, last tackle, and there are many hands going for a ball in the QLD in goal and Jennings knocks on in the in goal area, a game of millimeters.
10 minutes to go and QLD are on the NSW line, and this is it for the game, and Corey Oates scores, the video ref will take a look but it looks like a try, taking it to 24-16 with the kick to come. CONVERTED by JT. 26-16.
NSW not giving this up and pushing on the QLD 30 with 5 minutes to go Jack bird gets close, a video ref decision, looks like a knock on in front of the sticks by Jennings. 4 minutes left and you would have to think this is the end of the series for NSW, a great late break by NSW gets them into the QLD 20 quickly. 2 minutes left and a pass ends up in QLD hands and is classed on a knock on.
Last passage of play in the run and the ball is passed out into the crowd, the game is all over, corey Oates kicks the ball into the crowd and the game is over.
Queensland 26 Vs 16 New South Wales
2016 NRL State of Origin, 23 June, 2016
Suncorp Stadium, QLD |
