Maroons thrash NSW to win Origin series
After a racial row marred the lead-up, it seemed only apt that Queensland showed their true colours in a 34-6 Origin II victory over NSW at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
While NSW backrower Luke O'Donnell saw red, the evidence supporting Queensland as the greatest team in Origin's 30 years was all there in black and white.
When the dust settled on a spiteful clash, Queensland had sealed a record fifth straight Origin series.
The Maroons faithful in the 52,452-strong crowd went into party mode as Queensland continued their golden run - a 10-4 win-loss record since their winning streak began in 2006.
Only Queensland's 13-3 record from 1922-26 is better.
The six tries to one loss made it a dark night for NSW, especially O'Donnell.
Days after disgraced ex-NSW assistant Andrew Johns' now infamous racial slurs rocked the countdown to Origin II, the question remained: "how would the Maroons' indigenous stars respond?"
The fired-up Suncorp Stadium crowd didn't have to wait long for the answer.
In the third minute a pumped Greg Inglis - the focus of Johns' rant that cost him his NSW coaching gig - had dragged two defenders over to score.
By the 12th, Israel Folau - another reportedly in Johns' sights on last week's Blues bonding night - had latched onto a floating Willie Tonga pass and crossed with one of his first touches of the game to make it 10-0.
Asked how the Johns saga had affected him, Inglis told Channel Nine: "It showed in my game tonight.
"I was pretty upset about it, and it's pretty disappointing."
It was going to take something special to take the focus away from the Johns racial row - but it became a subplot after O'Donnell's brain explosion.
The Cowboys enforcer was considered lucky not to be sent off in the 26th minute when the match erupted following his ugly spear tackle on Maroons winger Darius Boyd.
He was placed on report - but that may be the least of his worries.
After O'Donnell's shocking tackle sparked an all-in, the fired-up North Queensland forward could be seen headbutting David Taylor as the Queenslander was restrained by NSW's Joel Monaghan.
While O'Donnell appeared to come off second best in the end after Sam Thaiday had finished with him, the Cowboys backrower looks set to have an even bigger headache when he appears before the judiciary considering his NRL rap sheet.
It was the first time Queensland had wrapped up a series at Suncorp Stadium since 1991 - the legendary Wally Lewis' farewell game.
The clash also provided the Maroons faithful the victory they were deprived of last year when NSW averted a whitewash with yet another fiery display.
"We owed the crowd one, I hope they enjoyed it," Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston said.
Cameron Smith added: "This is why I love pulling on a Maroon jersey - it is nice to be part of something special.
"I could never have pictured a scoreline like that."
The 28-point victory narrowly missed equalling the record 30-point winning margin Queensland had racked up three times in the 30-year Origin history - in 1989 (36-6), 2003 (36-6), 2008 (30-0), all at Suncorp Stadium.
"It's so good to be a Queenslander," Billy Slater said.
After Queensland led 16-0 at halftime it was more of the same in the second stanza - with more Maroons points, and more biffing.
The niggling act between Inglis and NSW centre Beau Scott boiled over in the 57th minute when the pair went toe to toe.
But there was no stopping the Maroons juggernaut as they blew out to a 34-0 lead through Tonga (44th), Folau (48th) and Cooper Cronk (62nd).
NSW finally got on the board through prop Brett White in the final minute.
In another headache for NSW, Paul Gallen was placed on report for a 23rd minute high shot on Nate Myles.
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.