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The three big plays Cameron Munster pulled off to lead Queensland to victory

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Cameron Munster has produced three famous State of Origin plays to lead Queensland to a shock 16-10 upset over NSW in the series opener at Accor Stadium.

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In a return to the famed Origin grind after years of blowouts, Munster was at his brilliant best for the Maroons as they jumped to a 16-4 lead before holding out the fast-finishing Blues late.

With four debutants in their side, Queensland were forced to overcome an ankle injury which sidelined winger Xavier Coates in the first half while newcomer Jeremiah Nanai battled through a similar issue.

It was the Maroons’ first win in Sydney since 2017, when Johnathan Thurston nailed a last-minute conversion in his last series beside Cameron Smith and Billy Slater.

And with those three greats on Queensland’s coaching staff on Wednesday night, this was a win befitting the new era of the Slater-mentored Maroons.

Rookie Pat Carrigan swung the momentum of the match off the bench and fellow debutant Reuben Cotter made 49 tackles while halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Munster both played direct in attack.

Kalyn Ponga had one of his best nights in Origin at fullback, playing a role in two Maroons tries and pulling off a last-play tackle under the posts on Isaah Yeo on the siren.

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In contrast the Blues were frantic, desperately chasing points in the second half as they struggled to win the ruck and halfback Nathan Cleary admitted they tried to move the ball around too much.

While Brad Fittler’s NSW team scored first through Jack Wighton when Cleary and Jarome Luai put him over, they were forced to wait almost 60 minutes for their next points.

In between, Queensland took control in front of the biggest crowd in Sydney since the start of the pandemic with 80,512 in attendance.

Ponga’s first big involvement came when a long pass to Selwyn Cobbo went to ground, only for the rookie winger to scoop the ball up and grubber-kick on the run inside for Dane Gagai to score.

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Then it was time for Munster to stamp his authority.

Leading 6-4 after the break, he broke down field to put Queensland on the attack, before Cherry-Evans went over with ease from an ensuing scrum.

Ponga put on the ball of the match to make it 16-4 with 25 minutes to play, firing a long pass for Valentine Holmes to cross untouched on the left wing.

NSW were eventually able to get back within six points when Luai put Cameron Murray over to set up a grandstand finish.

But it was Munster who stood tall in defence.

The Melbourne star pulled off a crucial one-on-one strip on Stephen Crichton late, ending a Blues’ attacking raid with six minutes to play.

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He also popped up at a crucial moment in the Blues’ penultimate set, latching onto a Luai grubber kick as it bounced towards the line.

“They’re little moments but they are big moments,” Slater said.

“It wasn’t our game that won us the game tonight. It was the way Queensland have played for decades.

“That’s what won us the game tonight.”

NSW coach Brad Fittler insisted his side had the confidence to bounce back in Perth and Brisbane.

“It’s always tough. If you lose the first one you are up against it,” Fittler said.

“But winning the game there last year at Suncorp gives us a lot of confidence.”

Meanwhile debate is likely to follow the independent doctor’s decision to allow NSW’s Isaah Yeo to play on after head contact in the first tackle.

The Penrith lock appeared to stagger back after the hit on Maroons prop Josh Papalii, but he was assessed on field and allowed to stay on.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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