State of Origin III RECAP: ‘Incredible victory’ as Blues cause boilover in Suncorp decider

Thanks for tuning in for our live coverage of the Origin decider!

An emphatic win for NSW against all odds, stunning Queensland on their home turf to win 30-12 and reclaim the shield.

Laurie Daley has dropped a hint on his NSW coaching future.

“That’s for another day,” he told Nine.

“I’ve made my mind up. I know what I’m doing.”

Laurie Daley has spoken for the first time since capturing the Origin shield for the second time as a coach, 12 years removed from his first triumph.

“It’s pretty special,” Daley told Nine post-game.

“I was just happy for the players. Obviously we know that performance was there, but we just haven’t seen it, so it was all about for us proving ourselves right.”

Daley also said that Blues captain Isaah Yeo is the ‘best leader he’s come across’ which is high praise given his own history in the game.

When asked why he came back to coach, Daley said it was for one simple reason.

“Love of the state ... I love NSW, I’ll do anything for this team,” he said.

Laurie Daley’s big selections really paid off tonight.

He stuck with Mitchell Moses at five-eighth and while he didn’t have a major impact on the stat sheet, he continually kicked NSW out of trouble.

Liam Martin was at his niggling, aggressive and game-changing best, while Addin Fonua-Blake brought some muscle off the bench when he needed to.

Jack Bostock had some great moments on debut before getting knocked out, while Bradman Best was one of the Blues’ best players and scored the match-sealing 100m try that saw him palm off club teammate Kalyn Ponga.

Stephen Crichton was axed for game two but was strong in his return.

NSW halfback Nathan Cleary has cemented his Origin legacy, officially being awarded the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series.

Cleary scored a first-half double at Suncorp Stadium before coming up with a one-on-one strip that led directly to Cameron Murray’s try.

He was fantastic with the boot as well and a deserved winner of the prize.

Phil Gould slammed the narrative that had surrounded Cleary in recent times about failing to dominate Origin, which has now been put to bed.

“I find that commentary really lazy and really lame,” he said on Nine.

“It’s an unfair expectation. They put on these playmakers that suddenly they have to dominate Origin to be recognised as an Origin player. He’s an outstanding Origin player. He’s a champion footballer, cometh the hour, cometh the champion.

“What more do you want? This rubbish about dominating - I find that ridiculous.”

Nathan Cleary has spoken to Nine about the criticism levelled towards coach Laurie Daley throughout this year’s series.

“A lot of people wrote him off and negative things were said about him, but he’s an absolute champion in NSW and we never write off champions,” Cleary said.

“I love the guy and I’m so pumped for him.”

A dejected Harry Grant has spoken to Nine post-game.

“We didn’t help ourselves,” the Maroons hooker said.

“But you know credit to NSW, they played a really good game for 80 minutes, they took their moments really made us pay for some of the footy that we played.

“We never lose sight of who we’re playing for and why we do it, but obviously you want to show your appreciation, show your effort with with a result.

“It’s disappointing in that sense. We’d love to send a lot of Queenslanders to school, to work, or even at home tonight, off proud and happy.

“Sorry we couldn’t do that the series as a whole.”

Bradman Best is up and about after an emphatic Blues victory and who could possibly blame him after scoring a match-defining 100-metre try!

“This is what dreams are made of as a little kid,” he said on Nine post-game.

“The ball fell in my lap and I was lucky enough.

“It means so much and we know how much Queensland carry on, so to come here and do it at their home ground, it doesn’t get better.”

NSW have caused a boilover in the decider at Suncorp Stadium to claim the Origin shield, defeating Queensland 30-12 on their home turf.

Hudson Young puts the icing on the cake with a try on the full-time siren.

Laurie Daley’s men shot out of the gates and despite some nervous moments, did enough in the key moments to kick clear of the Maroons.

An emphatic victory in enemy territory for the Blues.

“That’s an incredible victory ... after Melbourne they were rank outsiders,” Andrew Johns said on Nine.

Cameron Smith paid tribute to the legendary Blues player turned coach.

“I think everyone’s got to be happy for Laurie Daley, he was hammered from pillar to post,” the Queensland icon said on Nine.

Selwyn Cobbo knocks it on in the ruck and NSW have got it wrapped up now.

Less than five minutes to go and the Blues lead by 14.