NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 3
3 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
A 73rd minute field goal from Cooper Cronk has seen Queensland take the opening State of Origin match 11-10 against a wasteful New South Wales side in front of a crowd of 80,122 at ANZ Stadium.
Having broken the Maroons eight-year winning run in 2014, the Blues entered the series looking to build on their tremendous form last year.
Queensland looked to open the scoring through Billy Slater in the 7th minute, but the video referee ruled the Queensland fullback denied Trent Hodkinson an opportunity to clean up resulting in a Blues penalty.
The Maroons hit back in the 13th minute after a quick play-the-ball by Sam Thaiday allowed Cameron Smith to send his Melbourne teammate Cooper Cronk over in the corner. With Johnathan Thurston coverting, Queensland looked to be on top early on.
After a slow start, the Blues hit back with consecutive tries to Josh Morris (19th minute) and Beau Scott (25th minute) to take the front 10-6.
Morris' try was the highlight of the night for the Blues, with James Tamou delivering a tremendous offload sending Josh Dugan into space, before the New South Wales number one kicked ahead for his centre.
With Tamou and fellow prop Aaron Woods leading the way for the Blues in the first half, New South Wales looked to be on top, but a series of poor errors in the second half ultimately cost the home side.
After dominating second half possession, Queensland hit back following great work from Melbourne duo Billy Slater, who put his clubmate Will Chambers over for his first try for the Maroons. With Thurston unable to convert, the scores remained level.
With ten minutes remaining, Queensland opted to take the lead with a 45-metre penalty goal, however Thurston's kick fell just short providing New South Wales with a chance to snatch an unlikely win.
Having withstood a mountain of Queensland pressure, the Blues looked to take back the lead, but a poor kick from Michael Jennings relieved the pressure, enabling the Maroons the chance to take the front.
As the clock struck the 73rd minute mark, Cooper Cronk stepped up to kick the deciding field goal after the Blues conceded a fifth tackle penalty in the lead up.
With only minutes remaining, Josh Dugan looked to send the game into extra time with an attempted one-pointer, but pushed the kick wide, allowing the Maroons to run out victors.
Ultimately the Blues poor second half cost them dearly after dominated the opening forty minutes.
For the Maroons, Cooper Cronk was outstanding, coming up with a number of vital plays, while his Storm teammate Will Chambers established himself as an Origin player running for over 200 metres.
The Blues starting props played a major role in getting the Blues in a position to win the game, while Robbie Farah tackled his heart out despite playing the second half with an injured shoulder sustained in a tackle with Justin Hodges in the opening half.
Queensland will look to wrap up the series in Melbourne in Game Two on June 17 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, while New South Wales will be hoping captain Paul Gallen is able to recover in time to lead the Blues to a decider.
New South Wales Blues 10 Queensland Maroons 11
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Crowd: 80122
Halftime Score: New South Wales Blues 10 Queensland Maroons 6
NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES (10)
Tries: Josh Morris, Beau Scott
Field Goals: Josh Dugan (0/1)
Conversions: Trent Hodkinson (1/2)
Penalty Goals:
QUEENSLAND MAROONS (11)
Tries: Cooper Cronk, Will Chambers
Field Goals: Cooper Cronk (1/1)
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Johnathan Thurston (0/1)
3 points - Cooper Cronk
2 points - Aaron Woods
1 point - Will Chambers
Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of State Of Origin, Game One - 2015.
Will the New South Wales Blues be able to defend their title or will the might of the Queensland Maroons prove too much.
Both sides will be as per program.
For NSW, Josh Jackson and David Klemmer will make their debuts, while Mitchell Pearce will make his return to the Origin stage at 5/8.
For the Maroons, Michael Morgan and Josh McGuire will debut, while Greg Inglis will play despite doubts in the week leading up to tonight.
Kick-off around 10 minutes away.
Will the NSW halves be able to overcome the absence of Jarryd Hayne and create the points needed, or will the QLD stars prove too powerful.
Get set ladies and gentlemen, STATE OF ORIGIN 2015 is only moments away.
NSW. QLD. Get set for Sports Greatest Rivals to battle it out once again.
Cameron Smith kicks off and Origin 2015 is underway!
2: Mitchell Pearce takes the first kick of the night, as Billy Slater takes it on the kick return.
3: Will Chambers makes a great run up to QLD's 40 metre line.
4: QLD earn a penalty for a flop.
5: QLD knock on inside the NSW 30. Billy Slater unable to pick up an inside ball from Thurston.
6: From the scrum, Daniel Tupou knocks on. Big pressure for NSW.
7: Slater is claiming a try.
7: Thurston elected to grubber for his fullback, but Trent Hodkinson may have been denied an opportunity.
7: No Try to QLD. Slater ruled to deny Hodkinson an opportunity. Penalty NSW.
8: Aaron Woods up to the halfway line for NSW.
9: Hodkinson kicks, but QLD earn a penalty for an offside Blues player.
9: Cameron Smith loses the ball, but James Tamou knocks on. QLD Scrum.
9: Beau Scott takes down Greg Inglis as QLD try a sweep play.
10: Cameron Smith grubbers for the in-goal, earning a line dropout after Hopoate batted the ball dead.
11: Josh Dugan's dropout goes 60 metres. QLD to start the set inside their own half.
13: TRY QUEENSLAND MAROONS
Scored by Cooper Cronk. Kick to come.
After a run out of dummy half from Cameron Smith, the QLD #7 puts on some great footwork to cross in the right corner.
14: Put that try down to QLD getting a quick play-the-ball which exploited the retreating NSW defence.
14: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION QUEENSLAND MAROONS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
No problems for Thurston. QLD 6-0.
16: NSW receive a penalty and will start a set just short of halfway.
17: Mitchell Pearce takes on the line, but is taken by the QLD defence.
17: Penalty QLD. Darius Boyd taken by Hopoate without the ball.
18: Once again, Daniel Tupou is able to leap high and come away with the ball for NSW.
19: Josh McGuire preparing to come on for QLD.
19: Possible try to NSW. A brilliant offload from James Tamou sent Josh Dugan away who kicked ahead for Josh Morris.
19: Brilliant try to the Blues if awarded.
19: TRY NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES
Scored by Josh Morris. Kick to come.
NSW ARE IN!!! Morris scores in the right corner. 6-4. KTC.
20: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson unsuccessful.
From the sideline, last year's hero pushes the kick to the right. No goal.
22: Great set from NSW sees the Blues get another set inside the Maroons half following a Nate Myles knock on.
24: Dugan dummies, only to lose the ball. Fortunately the Blues will get another chance.
25: Possible try to Beau Scott. Great run from the back rower charging through the line after a great ball from Mitchell Pearce.
25: TRY NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES
Scored by Beau Scott. Kick to come.
NSW ARE IN AGAIN. THE BLUES HAVE THE LEAD!!!
26: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
After missing his first kick, Hodkinson makes amends. Blues 10-6.
27: James Tamou takes another run. The Cowboys front rower has been a colossus so far.
27: Play stopped after Robbie Farah has been slammed into the ground by Justin Hodges. No penalty.
28: Boyd Cordner on for NSW. Jacob Lillyman about to come on for QLD.
28: Thurston bombs, but once again Dugan is able to take the ball.
29: Andrew Fifita takes his first run of the game. David Klemmer about to come on for Aaron Woods.
30: Aidan Guerra gets over the NSW line, but the Blues are able to hold the Rooster up. Great defence from the Blues. After a slow start, NSW are on top.
30: David Klemmer takes his first run in Origin.
32: Great kick from Cameron Smith forces Dugan close to his own goal line.
33: Thurston dummies, but the Blues trap the QLD #6.
34: Robbie Farah appears to be ok after being hit by Hodges earlier.
35: Michael Morgan on for QLD. Look for the Cowboys utility to make an impact as the first half draws to a close.
36: Mitchell Pearce almost gets through the QLD defence, as the Blues find touch just short of the QLD goal line. Scrum Maroons.
37: Cronk bombs, but once again Dugan is able to clean up.
37: Penalty to NSW. Big chance here for the Blues to strike a blow just before the break.
39: Good hit on Beau Scott by Aidan Guerra.
40: Daniel Tupou tackled short of the line as the siren sounds. NSW take a 10-6 lead into the break.
40: NSW have dominated the first half, despite conceding the first try. But will their lead be enough to withstand the might of QLD?
40: So far neither Trent Merrin or Matt Gillett have seen any football. Look for them to make an impact in the second half.
40: James Tamou and Aaron Woods have laid the platform for the Blues in the first half, while the Maroons back-rowers have been particularly strong for the visitors.
40: 2nd Half almost upon us. Can the Blues do it in front of their home fans or will the Maroons dig deep and pull of another win.
40: Robbie Farah possibly in doubt for the second half. If the NSW captain is unable to play out the match, Josh Jackson will operate at Hooker.
40: Jacob Lillyman takes the first run of the second half.
41: Mitchell Pearce knocks on at the halfway line.
42: Josh Morris gets a Blues penalty after being taken in the air by Greg Inglis.
43: The Blues fail to find touch. Big chance for QLD to level the scores
44: QLD look to score in the corner, but Darius Boyd can't latch on to Inglis' pass.
46: On the kick return, the Maroons get up to the halfway line after 3 tackles.
47: Possible knock on by Josh Dugan on his own line.
47: Slater ruled to have touched the ball. NSW to start a set 10 metres out.
49: Penalty to QLD. Fiftita ruled to have performed a chicken wing tackle on Will Chambers.
50: QLD knock-on. NSW will get a set close to halfway, as Aaron Woods looks to get back onto the field.
51: Great run from David Klemmer puts the Blues on the attack, but Josh Dugan loses the ball.
52: Thurston dummies, but Farah makes sure the #6 can't get through the Blues line.
54: Big kick from the Blues gets NSW into a great position, before a penalty lets the Maroons off the hook.
54: Corey Parker coming back on, his offloads will be a major threat. Michael Morgan coming off.
55: TRY QUEENSLAND MAROONS
Scored by Will Chambers. Kick to come.
After a sweep play to the right, the Melbourne centre gets over in the corner after a lovely Billy Slater pass.
56: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION QUEENSLAND MAROONS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
Thurston pushes his kick wide. Scores level.
57: Chambers can't clean up a Thurston bomb. NSW off the hook.
60: Will Chambers almost comes up with a second, but Daniel Tupou finally bats the ball dead.
62: Farah trapped in-goal after a QLD grubber kick. Line dropout.
63: Trent Merrin on for the Blues. Matt Gillett on for the Maroons.
64: Thurston bombs for Slater, but Michael Jennings forces the ball in-goal.
65: Cameron Smith has gotten over the line, but it looks as though the Blues have held the QLD captain up.
65: Referee has ruled No Try. Awaiting video confirmation.
65: NO TRY QLD. Can the blues hold on.
66: Aaron Woods comes away with the ball after a big hit.
66: Great tackle from Thurston on Josh Jackson.
66: Slater catches Pearce's bomb without any major hassles.
67: Corey Parker takes QLD up to halfway on the last.
68: Ryan Hoffman looks to get an offload away but can't.
68: The game is right in the balance at the moment, either side could win it.
69: Penalty to QLD on halfway. Big chance for the Maroons to post points off the penalty.
70: Thurston has elected to kick for penalty goal just over halfway. It'll be a big kick for QLD to take the lead.
70: UNSUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL QUEENSLAND MAROONS
Penalty goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
From 45 metres out, Thurston's kick falls short.
71: NSW get a penalty on halfway. Big chance for the Blues here.
72: Jennings grubber kick goes dead. Wasted opportunity to take the lead by NSW.
73: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL QUEENSLAND MAROONS
Field goal attempt by Cooper Cronk successful.
CRONK TAKES THE LEAD! QLD HIT THE FRONT.
75: NSW get Fifita and Klemmer on, they'll need some impact to get out of this one.
76: Cronk finds Hopoate. COME ON NSW!!
77: NSW up to halfway.
77: The Blues get away with a forward pass, NSW in position to take a field goal.
78: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES
Field goal attempt by Josh Dugan unsuccessful.
Dugan pushes it right. The Blues have wasted some opportunities late in the game.
78: QLD get a penalty for a strip from Ryan Hoffman. Two men in the tackle should get the Maroons home.
79: 60 seconds. COME ON NSW!
79: NSW will get one final play. One second left on the clock.
80: Mitchell Pearce kicks to Darius Boyd and QLD win.
80: Congratulations to Queensland. The Maroons claim the first game of the 2015 State of Origin.