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'That is unreal': Origin fans erupt after 'insane' moment

andrew reid
·3-min read
A Tariq Sims miracle pass set up the third try of Game I for the Blues. Pic: NRL/Getty
A Tariq Sims miracle pass set up the third try of Game I for the Blues. Pic: NRL/Getty

New South Wales Blues forward Tariq Sims has sent the internet into overdrive with a pass that will go down in State of Origin history.

The Blues got off to a flying start in the series opener against Queensland in Townsville on Wednesday night, with halfback Nathan Cleary kicking a penalty to give NSW an early lead.

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Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic soon turned the Blues' dominant field position into the first try of the night after a cut-out pass put him through a gaping hole in the Maroons' defence.

Blues rookie Brian To'o - who'd earlier survived a nasty head collision with Christian Welch - extended the NSW lead after crossing in the corner following some clever work from his Panthers teammate Jarome Luai.

To'o's dream debut at Origin level got even better some five minutes later as he capitalised on a miracle play from Sims to help the Blues take a 20-0 first half lead.

Some desperate last-ditch Maroons defence stopped Sims centimetres short of the try line, only for the Blues second rower to fling a speculative pass out to the wing.

Sims was almost on the ground when he released the epic cut-out pass that To'o snaffled up before diving over to score in the corner.

The extraordinary play left fans in a spin on social media.

Maroons lose Welch to HIA

In another brutal blow for Queensland in the first half, Welch was ruled out for the remainder of the match after failing his HIA test.

Maroons forward Christian Welch was ruled out of the match after failing an HIA in the first half. Pic: Getty
Maroons forward Christian Welch was ruled out of the match after failing an HIA in the first half. Pic: Getty

Kurt Capewell finally gave the Maroons something to cheer about after pulling one try back with just over five minutes before halftime to make it 20-6 at the break.

The Blues were drowned with boos as they arrived at Townsville's Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with proud and hostile locals doing their best to unnerve the visitors, reminding them they were now in enemy territory.

Outside the famous 'Mad Cow bar', a sole NSW fan copped it from passionate locals, as the cattle call of 'Queenslander' rung through Flinders Street.

"It's never been like this before," a local restaurant owner said.

"Townsville has grown for its team, it's as wonderful as it is amazing."

As the gates were braced for opening, fans buzzed and vast lines curved around the stadium.

"This doesn't feel like any other NRL game," one fan said.

"See you inside," one father said to his kids splitting away to separate gates.

"How will you see us in the stadium, there's too many people!" the young lad quipped back.

Some brave Blues fans popped up in an ocean of Maroon but the home support was clearly overwhelming.

"Queensland forever," fans yelled as they rushed through the gates.

The boos of 27,500 fans rang out as the Blues entered the field in darkness.

Bathed in light, Queensland entered the cauldron to begin series 2021.

with AAP

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