State of Origin in 2023 belongs to Queensland after they hammered New South Wales 32-6 in Game Two in Brisbane, and they'll now head to Sydney next month with the chance to secure the first series whitewash in 13 years.
Following their 26-18 victory in Game One in Adelaide, the Maroons attacked the game with confidence and enthusiasm in front of a crowd of 52,433 at Suncorp Stadium.
The Blues had no shortage of chances to score points but looked disjointed in attack, with several backline moves ending in the ball spilling over the sideline or with players being tackled on last play.
A captain's knock from DCE! 👏#Origin pic.twitter.com/uCsrR2IcsP
— NRL (@NRL) June 21, 2023
As NSW celebrated denying the Maroons a try inside the opening three minutes, centre Tom Trbojevic reeled away with a game-ending torn pectoral, which proved to be far more costly than any four-pointer.
The early injury exposed the Blues' lack of utility value on the bench and meant back-up hooker Damien Cook had to play the remainder of the game at left centre, and the Maroons found success targeting the makeshift combination on a number of occasions.
Queensland crush NSW to seal series win on home soil#FijiNews📰 #TeamFiji🌴 pic.twitter.com/P3qHSSjBiU
— fijivillage (@fijivillage) June 21, 2023
They looked set to hit back when Stephen Crichton picked off a loose ball and scooted 75 metres down field, but instead Cherry-Evans produced a classic try-saving cover tackle and on the very next set it was Queensland who scored through Murray Taulagi.
The Maroons led 10-0 at half-time.
A relatively innocuous kick back infield from the Maroons following a half break should have been cleaned up, but instead Payne Haas found himself as the only Blues player chasing back, with the bounce eluding him and gifting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow an easy try.
Cook did get one back on 57 minutes to keep the dream alive for NSW, but it was quickly crushed by Queensland's fifth a short time later, with Walsh adding to a stunning performance with an assist for recalled winger Xavier Coates.
Nanai the opportunist! 💥#Origin pic.twitter.com/RM2ZS6s4AQ
— NRL (@NRL) June 21, 2023
A dropped ball from Cook with seven minutes to go presented Jeremiah Nanai with a try in his return to the Origin arena, with Holmes adding a third conversion of the night to confirm a 32-6 victory.
Source: nrl.com
Date Time Team Team
