New South Wales claimed the 2021 Origin series with a 26-nil success against Queensland Maroons tonight at Suncorp Stadium.
The Blues cruised to Origin glory. The visitors lead 18-nil at half-time after putting on three tries, then added a late Josh Addo-Carr second to cement their first win under Brad Fittler at Suncorp Stadium and bring the shield back to the locked-down Emerald City.
Coming of their massive win in Townsville, the Blues were back on the front foot tonight. The Blues spread it right to find a wide open Storm finisher Josh Addo-Carr to stride over to make it 6-nil. They added a further two tries to extend their lead to 18 on the break as they lurched towards regaining the Origin shield.
It was a moment to savour for Latrell Mitchell. The centre who was dropped in 2019 extended the Blues lead to 12-nil after he snaffled an intercept to run 80 metres and outpaced the Queensland defense to continue his strong series.
One of the Blues superstars has been Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic. The star fullback finished off a good movement from the Blues from their own half which put Addo-Carr away before he passed inside to Trbojevic to score his fourth try of the series. Blues led 18-nil at the break.
The second half was a much more competitive matchup, as Queensland aimed up. The Maroons had several chances to get themselves off the duck egg through Kyle Feldt and Dane Gagai but some determined Blues defense denied them as the visitors scored 72 points to Queensland's six thus far this series.
Blues first points in the second half came from the boot of Nathan Cleary. He piloted over a penalty to make it 20-nil as Brad Fittler's side inched closer to getting the Origin shield back after their disappointing 2020 series.
It was double delight for Addo-Carr. The Storm winger finished off a right side move after Roosters fullback James Tedesco flicked the ball out to Addo-Carr who stepped back inside and touched down to make it 26-nil.
Tonight's success is Fittler's first at Suncorp Stadium. Much of the Blues squad also hadn't tasted success at the venue, now they have won this series with a game to spare. They head to game three wherever it is played to finish off a whitewash.
For Queensland, it was an improved performance from game one but they still were unable to deal with the Blues attack and have lost control of the shield after their success in 2020 and now they have to rebuild against a possible Blues dynasty in the next few years.
Next up... who knows. As it stands the third and final game is scheduled for Stadium Australia in Sydney - but the current lockdown in that city has that venue in serious doubt for the July 14 contest.