NSW smash QLD to take out the
series

The New South Wales Blues have won the 2004 State of Origin series after comprehensively defeating the Queensland Maroons by 36-14 at Telstra Stadium tonight.

From the outset, NSW took control of play with halves Trent Barrett [pictured] and Brad Fittler exploiting advantages to be found just wide of the ruck.

Blues debutante Mark Gasnier had a sensational match, scoring two tries and pulling off some copybook covering tackles.

The Maroons came back enough in the first half to keep supporters wondering, and at half time NSW held a handy lead of 18-8.

But Queensland hopes evaporated when winger Luke Rooney scored in the 55th minute. The Blues then went from strength-to-strength with Brad Fittler, in his final match for NSW, scoring a crowd pleasing try late in the match.

Scorers: NSW 36 Tries: Gasnier 2, Barrett, Rooney, Minichiello, Fittler Goals: Fitzgibbon 5/6, Gasnier 1/1 defeated QLD 14 Tries: Slater, Bowen Goals: Smith 3/3

Telstra Stadium, Crowd 82,487 Referee: Paul Simpkins Video Referee: Sean Hampstead Touch Judges: Steve Carrall, Steve Chiddy

By the clock: With the State of Origin series locked up at one game each, a sell out crowd has turned up to Telstra Stadium to watch NSW and QLD do battle. Stand by for what's sure to be cracker of a match. Players now coming onto the field to a thunderous welcome. Scattered showers today have made for a slightly slippery pitch. National Anthem done with... Kickoff!

5-7 min: NEWS - Spectacular scenes with NSW throwing the ball around and coming within a whisker of scoring on two occasions. QLD defending desperately before they get the ball back and then in turn, go on the attack before earning a penalty.

9 min: PENALTY GOAL - QLD. Cameron Smith 15m in from touch. QLD 2-0

12 min: TRY - NSW. Mark Gasnier scores his first Origin try 10m from in from touch following a cut-out pass from Brad Fittler. NSW attacking wide of the ruck and coming up trumps. Conversion from Craig Fitzgibbon is a ripper. NSW 6-2

14 min: NEWS - Dust up with players throwing a mixture of punches and air swings. QLD get the penalty.

20 min: NEWS - QLD often under siege as NSW throw everything at the visitors. Possession favours NSW 54%

22 min: TRY - QLD. Billy Slater scores in the corner. Follows a penalty where Matt Sing (QLD) could have scored but was held back by Anthony Minichiello (NSW) near the dead ball line. Tremendous conversion from Smith... straight over the black dot. QLD 8-6

28 min: NO TRY - NSW denied when Ben Kennedy (NSW) is ruled to have taken out fullback Rhys Wesser (QLD) while contesting the ball. Touch and go but the decision favours QLD.

30 min: NEWS - Penalties favouring QLD 5-0. Posession now favouring QLD 53%

33 min: TRY - NSW. Trent Barrett runs through a hole to score. Follows on the back NSW's first penalty. Conversion Fitzgibbon in easy range is OK. NSW 12-8

37 min: TRY - NSW. Gasnier gets his second try on debut for NSW, scoring out wide. QLD having trouble marking up. Conversion Fitzgibbon hits the bar and goes over. NSW 18-8

HALF TIME: It's been a NSW dominated first half with action a-plenty. QLD helped back into the match thanks to some ill-disciplined play from NSW but for the most part, the Maroons have been on the back foot. For NSW, Mark Gasnier is ripping into the right hand side and Trent Barrett is running amok - the NSW backs being larger in bulk and it shows. The flankers in Luke Rooney and Luke Lewis are also finding room. The QLD forwards are working hard but are finding the going tough. The question is, will QLD come back? It would be foolish to write them off and a revival is always on the cards. At this stage, QLD have all the work to do.

Half time stats: Possession: 50% each Penalties: QLD 5-2 Errors: NSW 7-3 Completions: NSW 13/19; QLD 18/21 Tackles: NSW 145-136 Mistackles: QLD 27-5 Score: NSW 18-8

Second half underway...

41 min: NEWS - Matt Sing (QLD) forced from the field following a heavy tackle. Brent Tate (QLD) injured as well. Brad Fittler (NSW) held up over the line.

47-50 min: NO TRY - QLD denied when Wesser's boot touches the sideline following a desperate tackle from Minichiello. Follows great run from Willie Tonga (QLD) who almost scored himself. NEWS - Gasnier injured (concussed) while tackling Tonga but will continue.

52 min: NEWS - Confirmation that Matt Sing has a broken jaw following the Fittler tackle in the 41st minute.

55 min: TRY - NSW. Luke Rooney scores in the left corner courtesy of an overlap. It's hard to see QLD coming back from here as they're being shot on both sides of the ruck. Brad Fittler now taking charge. Conversion attempt from Fitzgibbon is unsuccessful. NSW 22-8

62 min: TRY - NSW. Minichiello scores 10m in from touch. A very disjointed defence line is fully exploited by Barrett and then Shaun Timmins, putting Minichiello into the hole. Conversion Fitzgibbon. NSW 28-8

NEWS - QLD kick out on the full from the re-start.

66 min: NO TRY - NSW denied after Matt Cooper has the ball stripped over the tryline during the put down. NSW get the penalty but not the try.

67 min: PENALTY GOAL - NSW. Fitzgibbon puts the Blues further ahead. Follows the 'no try' penalty.

71 min: NEWS - Willie Tonga again comes close to scoring running down the left flank and is brought down by Gasnier in cover. Tonga having a tremendous game for QLD. Moments later the other "Willie", Mason makes a bust down the middle for NSW and comes close to scoring.

74 min: TRY - NSW. Brad Fittler scores a fairy-tale try in his final match for NSW as the Cockroaches carve up the 'toads. Conversion is given to Gasnier from right in front. NSW 36-8

77 min: TRY - QLD Matt Bowen scores a consolation try for QLD after Shane Webcke hits up the ball and Bowen gets into a gap in the next play during a simple backline movement. Conversion Smith. NSW 36-14

FULL TIME: Despite the lop-sided scoreline, this was a very entertaining match with a number of highlights. NSW just far too good with Fittler at five eighth and Barrett at half back combining perfectly while Gasnier stamped his authority on the match from the word go. In the forwards, skipper Danny Buderus led from the front and Craig Fitzgibbon defended tremendously, as did Nathan Hindmarsh. For QLD, front rower Shane Webcke worked hard all night long as did Cameron Smith. Willie Tonga was a standout in the backs. Despite scoring a try, Billy Slater had a quiet match.

Full time stats: Possession: NSW 54% Penalties: QLD 5-4 Errors: QLD 15-11 Completions: NSW 29/39; QLD 27/37 Tackles: QLD 294-257 Mistackles QLD 51-21 Score: NSW 39-14

NSW have won the 2004 State of Origin series 2-1

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - M Gasnier (NSW) 2 - T Barrett (NSW) 1 - C Fitzgibbon (NSW) -----------------------------------------