Shattered NSW players apologised to courageous leader Danny Buderus after falling heart-breakingly short of capping his amazing State of Origin career with a record series triumph.

But humble Buderus wanted none of it, he was too proud of their efforts.

Buderus was aiming to join Laurie Daley as captain for the most series wins for NSW (three) and Brad Fittler with most games wins as skipper (eight) in his final Origin appearance before moving to England but fell 16-10 to the brilliance of Queensland in the thrilling decider at ANZ Stadium.

"They all came up to me and apologised after the game but I wanted to have none of that," said Buderus.

"The effort they put in throughout the series I couldn't be prouder. There was nothing between the two states at the end of the day but the individual brilliance of JT (Johnathan Thurston).

"They were saying all week they wanted to do it for me but Origin is too hard to do it for anybody but yourself."

Blues forward Willie Mason said he shed a tear with Buderus and fellow veteran Craig Fitzgibbon after the game knowing the trio - who were all there when NSW won three straight series titles in 2003-05 - would never play together again.

"I have played something like 20 Tests and 13 Origins with him, it was pretty emotional," said Mason.

"We just wanted to send him out on a winning note.

"We knew if we were sitting here after winning it would be the best feeling ever.

"It's not embarrassing (to lose) but it's hard to take because now they can try and win four and nobody has ever done that."

After the embarrassment of the record 30-0 loss in Origin II the Blues certainly responded and led 10-8 at halftime thanks to a first half try to Matt Cooper.

It was the injection of utility Kurt Gidley into the starting lineup at fullback which sparked the Blues attack and he set up Cooper's try in the 15th minute.

Despite dominating field position and possession the Blues could not force their way through the thick maroon wall.

Queensland halfback Thurston eventually made them pay with a sneaky run down the blindside in the 67th minute as he dummied past tiring prop Brett White and rookie halfback Mitchell Pearce to send Billy Slater away for the match-winner.

"They got us with something we planned for all week which is probably the most disappointing thing," said lock Paul Gallen.

"The last two games things have not gone our way.

"It's pretty shattering and an ugly feeling."

Mason said NSW simply could not have done anymore to get themselves across the line.

"(Thurston) plays better when he's got the whole thing by himself," said Mason.

"All it came down to was individual brilliance. You just cannot coach against shit like that."

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