Match Report – Queensland 12 – 30 NSW

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Bradman Best extended New South Wales’ lead with a superb length-of-field try

New South Wales cruised to a stunning 30-12 win over Queensland in the State of Origin decider at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

The Blues made the most almighty comeback in game one for a dramatic 22-20 win but then Queensland set up a mouth-watering, winner-take-all encounter with a dominant win in game two.

New South Wales had a wide 18-4 half-time lead thanks to a Nathan Cleary double and a Cameron Murray try, the former converting all three.

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Nathan Cleary scored two goals in the first half for New South Wales

Queensland fired back through Hamiso Tabuai-Fido for their only point of the half.

Selwyn Cobbo and Jozy Fifita crossed for the Maroons in the second half but neither effort was converted, and with New South Wales adding further points through Bradman Best, Hudson Young and man-of-the-match Cleary, the Blues picked up a famous victory.

They are the fourth New South Wales team to win a decider at their home ground Suncorp Stadium in Queensland.

In addition to his Player of the Match performance, Cleary also won the Wally Lewis Medal for best of the series.

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New South Wales beat Queensland 2-1 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane to win the series.

New South Wales used the underdog tag as fuel for famous victories

A bone-crunching, bruising encounter was expected in the decider and, of course, that’s what it delivered as the maroon and blues battled for Origin history.

While Queensland were favorites in the contest, the first half was all about New South Wales as Cleary used the criticism he received as fuel for a performance to remember.

It was a bruising encounter between the two teams early on

Thanks to three handling errors from Billy Slater in the space of five minutes, New South Wales were under pressure and in the 15th minute Isah Yeo got their reward with a quick delivery of the ball. On the back of it, Cleary reached the score before converting his own effort for a 6-0 lead.

Queensland tried to fight back but after a set restart, New South Wales pounced. Sending it to the right edge, Angus Crichton found Mark Nwakanitawase with a leg. The winger then sent the pass inside for Cleary to add his second.

Just three minutes later, the attack continued. After Cleary, who was in a masterclass, came up with one-on-one ball steals against Selwyn Cobbo, Murray spun and headed over from close range to score. Cleary sent in his third conversion for an 18-0 lead. Queensland was just stunned.

Cleary showed why he is the best in the world as he took control of New South Wales

The Maroons hit back and got on the scoreboard when Nawakanitawase high kicked five minutes before half-time. Queensland moved it to the left end to allow Tabuai-Fido to step around Crichton and go for his 14th Origin try.

However, Sam Walker missed the conversion, his first miss in a maroon jersey, giving New South Wales an 18-4 advantage at the break.

The Blues took some chances in the second half when he made a tackle when full-back James Tedesco lost in a head clash but it ultimately didn’t show.

Queensland need to get to the second 40 and make sure they score first. They did that when Kobbo’s kick ricocheted and let him pick it up. The conversion was again missed, this time by Reece Walsh to bring the score to 18-8.

Cleary took home the man of the match and player of the series

Just seven minutes later when Queensland tried to put the Blues under the pump, Best put a knife through the hearts of the Queensland faithful when he picked up a bouncing kick and raced the length of the field to score. Cleary continued his run with the boot and went 24-8 in front.

Queensland continued to try to make a game of it, going again with Fifita on the edge, but as Walker’s conversion attempt went wide again, they could only bring themselves within two converted tries.

New South Wales celebrated a famous win on Queensland turf

After the Maroons scored a try for players offside in the build-up, a penalty to the Blues called for Cleary kicking tee as he sent a sailing over for a 26-12 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

With no time left in the contest, Young put the cherry on top to play the perfect supporting role and pop the pass to slide. This time, with the series win, Cleary didn’t call kicking as his side soaked in the moment of a 30-12 Origin series win.

Cleary: Never write off a team led by a champion!

Man of the match and series Nathan Cleary:

“It’s incredible. This group of players is just crazy, I love playing with them.

“Belief, our name was written, we came together as a team and I’m just pumped.

“A lot of people wrote Laurie (Daley) off but you never named champions.”

Munster: We’ll be back

Queensland captain Cameron Munster:

“It’s always a great spectacle when deciding in Brisbane. It’s a disappointing result but we’ll be back next year.

“Laurie and Yeo and the Blues players, thank you so much for this series.

“To Billy (Slater) and the boys, I know you’ll be hurt.

“We’ll be back next series and we’ll go again.”

Super League 2026 – Upcoming Key Dates

• Rival Round Reverse: July 23-July 26
• Playoff Elimination: September 19-September 20
• Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
• Grand Final: 3 October

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