now that the emotion has settled a bit (i don't actually think Klein was cheating, i just got Cheese carried away)
What a fucking game. It has absolutely everything and this is why State of Origin rates so friggen highly. Amazing viewing, speed, aggression, guts, some high skill, and the 2nd half was as tense as you will see.
What the fuck was that start? 3 guys out in side the first 4 sets? And all tacklers, not tackled players. Guys were flying in to contact, everyone was well up for it.
Qld kicked off and used that advantage to its full scope, keeping NSW down their end. The first try was coming for a while, and so good it was a great play by a kid on debut (and a sexy angle from Holmes).
But all that did was fire up NSW, and they just ground Qld out of the game. The Penrith Pressure ramped up, they won the territory battle, Qld started making errors, the defense got disjointed, and NSW took complete control. Tedesco looked unplayable, NSW won what felt like every collision, and Qld were hanging on by their fingertips.
And then two moments back to back. A legit obstruction penalty for some relief. And then Tupou drops a really good high kick. Grant orchestrates a sneaky, pretty lucky try, and somehow Qld go in to the sheds only 2 down.
And that's where the good stuff happens. Recent QLd legends Slater, Smith, JT, Miles get to give their little "Qld Spirit" speech. And you can bet it was Cam Smith telling DCE about the early kicks, he made a career out of it.
The 2nd half was a different game. Qld looked dangerous now, Ponga pushing through the middle was creating breaks or half breaks. DCE kicked them to death. The Qld forwards kept turning up right were they needed to be. And they squeezed the life out of NSW, who suddenly started to make errors. Ponga scores finally. A few tries are (rightfully) disallowed. Hunt 40/20s and NSW start to look done. And yet all the while NSW still look like they can make a break right up until Hunt snatches the kick out of the air and runs 50m to win the game.
Qld spine were unreal. Qld forwards battled hard in that 2nd half, Tino, Arrow and carrigan especially. That's am incredible win with 15 against a good NSW side, roared home by a great crowd.
That's an Origin night for sure.