Maroons Survive Blues Blitz in Origin Epic to Set Up Decider Showdown
Queensland have kept their State of Origin hopes alive with a nail-biting 26-24 win over New South Wales in Perth, setting up a series decider in Sydney on July 9.
The Maroons dominated the opening 40 minutes, racing to a 26-6 halftime lead after running in four unanswered tries. Their relentless attack and composure had them firmly in control, with Valentine Holmes flawless from the tee, converting all four tries.
But the Blues launched a spirited second-half comeback, led by winger Brian To’o, who completed a hat-trick and gave his side a fighting chance. With momentum swinging, Angus Crichton crossed in the 72nd minute to bring New South Wales within two points.
Despite several late opportunities to snatch victory, the Blues failed to convert pressure into points. Goal-kicking woes proved decisive, with Zac Lomax landing just two from five attempts — a stark contrast to Holmes’ perfect record.
Adding to New South Wales’ woes, halfback Jarome Luai was placed on report in the 23rd minute after appearing to rake his fingers across Queensland forward Reuben Cotter’s eyes — an incident that may attract scrutiny ahead of the decider.
While Queensland celebrated a gutsy win, the Blues were left to rue missed chances and unforced errors in a match that could have sealed the series. Now, all eyes turn to Accor Stadium, where the final clash promises to be an epic showdown with everything on the line.
